Overview
- Farm owner Sharon Wheeler pleaded guilty at Southampton Magistrates’ Court to a Health and Safety at Work Act offence and was fined £8,000 plus £9,528.35 in costs and a £3,200 surcharge.
- The outbreak was traced to Hazelgrove Farm in Ryde during April 4–May 1, 2023 bottle‑feeding events, with roughly 2,400 tickets sold and infection rates above 30% at some sessions.
- HSE and UKHSA found inadequate hand‑washing and drying facilities, use of reusable washcloths, poor information for visitors and staff, and insufficient control and supervision of animal contact.
- About five percent of confirmed cases required overnight hospital care, with reports of lasting physical and psychological harm including PTSD, and an estimated 1,254 working days lost.
- HSE inspector Francesca Arnold said the incident was preventable and urged farm attractions to strengthen biosecurity and follow industry guidance to protect visitors from zoonotic risks.