BB FANS

THE failure of the authorities to promptly close Godstone Farm to the public once it was reported to be harbouring E.Coli is a dreadful lapse.

Several children are now very seriously ill as a result of the delay and could be left with lasting health problems.

It is typical of Britain’s lumbering state apparatus that excessive steps are taken to tackle trivial risks with the result that parents will be vetted in order to run children to clubs, while a potentially fatal incident is overlooked.

If officials involved in public protection and health did rather less we might find they did it rather better.

BBC

Yes that is dreadful. I hope the children all recover okay.

The Agony of Alfie

SHATTERED mum Gemma Weaver told last night how her toddler was left screaming in agony when his kidneys shut down - after catching E.coli at the kiddies' play farm he loved to visit.

Three-year-old Alfie - desperately ill on an isolation ward last night along with twins aged two - went to the "petting" farm AFTER officials linked a vicious strain of the bug to the attraction but let it stay open.


The SUN

HPA admits new blunders over E. coli petting farm

The Health Protection Agency admitted for the first time today that a children’s petting farm at the centre of a major E. coli outbreak could have been closed down earlier but for an apparent blunder by officials.

The agency, which has been forced to defend itself against accusations of dithering over the closure of Godstone Farm in Surrey, had said that the first case of E. coli came to light on August 27.

It emerged today that the first confirmed case was reported on August 20 and a second case on August 25, two days before the farm became the centre of an investigation into the outbreak.

TimesonLine

A farm at the centre of an E.coli outbreak that left children seriously ill may have remained open longer than it should, health chiefs have admitted. VIDEO
BBC

Second children's farm closed over E.coli

A second petting farm has closed after an E.coli outbreak at its sister farm left 14 children ill in hospital.

The closure of Horton Park Children's Farm, in Epsom, Surrey, over hygiene concerns follows that of Godstone Farm, also in Surrey.

The number of cases linked to the Godstone outbreak is now 40, with four children seriously ill in hospital. Seven are stable and three are improving.

The Health Protection Agency said it was not aware of any cases of E.coli O157 linked to Horton but added: “The hygiene arrangements were found to be unsatisfactory and the HPA advised the farm should be closed immediately.”

ThisisLondon

Fourth farm shuts as E. coli feared

Two more children's petting farms have closed because of a suspected outbreak of potentially deadly E. coli infections, health officials said on Friday.

The White Post Farm at Farnsfield, Nottinghamshire, and the World of Country Life farm in Exmouth had both shut voluntarily, the Health Protection Agency (HPA) said.

Nine children remain in hospital after becoming infected with E. coli in cases linked to Godstone Farm in Surrey, which closed its doors to visitors at the weekend. Its sister farm Horton Park Children's Farm in Epsom has also closed.

Reuters

Mum of E.Coli farm lad to sue

A MUM whose son needed a blood transfusion after contracting E.coli at a petting farm is to sue health chiefs.

Odette Browning, 26, blasted the Health Protection Agency for waiting TWO WEEKS after the first reported case to close Godstone Farm. Her son Kyan Hatton, four, fell ill five days after visiting the Surrey farm.

Doctors in Gillingham, Kent, gave him a life-saving blood transfusion after he turned YELLOW as his kidneys shut down.

The SUN