Overview
- Public Health Wales issued the warning Monday as families plan Easter trips to petting farms, urging parents to avoid cuddling or bottle‑feeding lambs and to supervise children closely.
- Health officials highlight Cryptosporidium, a parasite carried by young livestock that can cause diarrhoea, vomiting, stomach cramps and fever, with Wales recording more than 525 cases last year.
- UKHSA advisers say alcohol gels and wipes do not remove farm parasites, so visitors should wash hands with warm water and soap after touching animals or fences and before eating.
- The renewed push follows last April’s Cowbridge Farm Shop outbreak that sickened more than 80 people, including a four‑year‑old who spent four days in hospital, according to his family.
- PHW has published farm‑side steps to cut risk during lambing events, including clear hygiene signs, easy‑to‑reach sinks, keeping lambs in enclosed pens and feeding only from outside enclosures.