Five more come down with E coli in farm outbreak

Published on Thursday 17 September 2009 22:05

FIVE more people have contracted E coli in the outbreak linked to a children's farm, it was confirmed last night.

Of the 45 people affected, 12 are children being treated in hospital. Four are seriously ill. Six children are in a stable condition, and the Health Protection Agency (HPA) described two as "improving".

Godstone Farm in Surrey was closed to the public last Saturday in light of the outbreak.

Horton Park Children's Farm in Epsom, Surrey, its sister farm, has also shut because of "unsatisfactory" hygiene arrangements.

An HPA spokeswoman said it was not aware of any cases of E coli 0157 linked to Horton Park Children's Farm, but added: "The hygiene arrangements were found to be unsatisfactory and the HPA advised the local authority the farm should be closed immediately while these defects were rectified."

A spokeswoman for Horton Park Children's Farm said the decision to close the farm was made because of the perceived "slight risk" of more children contracting E coli.

In a statement, she added:

"Horton Park Farm has no suspected or actual cases of E coli; this is a preventative measure taken by us to safeguard all our friends and customers."

The parents of the most ill children have been given an apology by the HPA for delays in closing Godstone Farm and an independent investigation has been commissioned.

Tracy Mock, the mother of two-year-old twins Todd and Aaron Furnell, said she was "encouraged" by the progress they were making in hospital.

Ms Mock, 38, said: "The nurses say they both look brighter but I think they are going to remain in hospital for weeks still."