They Include Four-Year-Old Girl Who Remains Ill And A Nine-Year-Old Girl And Five-Year Old Boy Who Were Admitted To Hospital

More than 20 people have asked lawyers to investigate after falling seriously ill following a visit to a Worcestershire farm.

The group, who all visited Gannow Farm near Redditch, includes parents and children as young as one. They were struck down with symptoms including severe sickness and diarrhoea, and many of the group have since been diagnosed with the parasitic infection cryptosporidium.

Families ask lawyers to investigate and help secure answers

Following separate visits over the Easter period earlier this month, the families have instructed expert public health lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate and help secure answers.

Expert Opinion

“Cryptosporidium is a type of microscopic parasite that can cause gastrointestinal illness in humans and animals. It can often have devasting consequences for the most vulnerable in society such as the elderly and children.

“It's commonly found in contaminated water sources, such as lakes and rivers, and can also be transmitted through contact with infected individuals or animals. It typically leads to symptoms such as diarrhoea, stomach cramps, nausea, and vomiting.

“The first-hand accounts we’ve heard from the families who have contacted us following visits to Gannow Farm around the same time are deeply concerning, especially as most infected are young children.

“We’re now supporting more than 20 people who have all fallen seriously ill following their visit to the petting farm. Some who’ve had their health seriously affected and continue to suffer the effects.

“Parasitic infections like cryptosporidium can be very serious, particularly for the most vulnerable, such as older adults or young children and in some cases can prove fatal.

“While we welcome the news that UKHSA is investigating, we’re working with our clients to look at the wider impact on them and working to secure them with the answers they deserve.

“If during our investigations any issues are identified, it’s vital any lessons are fully learned and any issues relating to the spread of this disease addressed to avoid risk to others in future.

“We would be interested in speaking to anyone who may have been impacted by this incident at who would be able to assist with our investigations.” Jatinder Paul

The UK Health Security Agency and Wychavon District Council are also investigating.

Four-year-old girl remains ill and unable to return to nursery after farm visit

Michelle Powell, 41 from Redditch had taken her daughter, Georgia Powell, four, to Gannow Farm on East Monday - 1 April. Around a week later, Georgia was struck down with severe sickness and diarrhoea.

Georgia has since tested positive for cryptosporidium and three weeks later, Georgia remains ill and has been unable to return to nursery. Georgia continues to suffer with vomiting, diarrhoea and a lack of appetite.

She said: “Easter Monday was meant to be a fun day out for Georgia to see the farm animals. I never dreamed it could turn into such a nightmare.

“To see your four-year old so sick was just devastating. You feel like there’s nothing you can do and as time goes on with no improvement, you begin to be really concerned.

“Looking back, I did have some concerns when we arrived at the farm. It was obviously busy that day and I thought at the time there were too many people for each slot with the animals and not a lot of supervision. The lambs looked lethargic and unwell compared to previous visits and their faeces were everywhere, including the bails of hay set out for sitting on.

“Right now, our focus in seeing Georgia make a full recovery but we feel we really deserve some answers concerning what happened. There were so many in those pens that day, that I’m not surprised to hear we’re not alone in having fallen sick.”

Nine-year-old Redditch girl admitted to Birmingham Children’s Hospital after farm visit

Another family-of-three from Redditch, including mum Danielle Furlong, 33, and daughters, Sienna-Mai Southern, and sister Darcie Southern, aged nine and three, also fell ill with sickness and diarrhoea after a trip to Gannow Farm on 2 April.

Both girls began to fall ill with sickness and diarrhoea a few days later and on 11 April, contacted their GP due to Sienna continuing to be ill.

Sienna-Mai admitted to hospital

The GP advised Sienna went to hospital and she was admitted to Birmingham Children’s hospital on 11 April 2024 and treated with anti-sickness and rehydration medication. Sienna was discharged later that day, but continues to be unwell, as does sister Darcie.

Sienna-Mai is a national winner in girls’ motorcross and due to the continuing effects of her illness, has been unable to race since.

Danielle, said: “This was one family day out we’ll always remember for all the wrong reasons. When the girls fell ill, it was a huge concern and we’re all continuing to live with the effects weeks later. Darcie now feels well in herself but it was obvious Sienna-Mai was badly affected.

“I knew she wasn’t well but it was such a shock to have to go to hospital. Even now, Sienna-Mai isn’t her usual self. It’s been a really traumatic experience for her and it has really hit her confidence for six, not only that, she’s not been able to compete in her sport.

“I think a lot of the families like us just want some answers at this point. We’ve been told illnesses like this can be serious and we don’t want others to go through what we have.”

Five-year-old boy admitted to Royal Worcester Hospital following visit to Gannow Farm

Redditch mum Emily Fryer’s five-year-old son, Isaac, also fell ill following a visit to Gannow Farm on 27 March this year.

As Isaac began to become increasingly ill the week following the visit, Emily, 44, took her son to A&E at Royal Worcester Hospital on 7 April. Initially told he had flu-like symptoms, Isaac was discharged, only to return on 8 April. By this point Isaac’s condition was no better and he hadn’t eaten in four days.

Isaac’s hospital stay

Isaac was admitted and doctors advised he might need a cannula and feeding tube, but it was ultimately agreed he would be fed using a syringe. He remained in hospital until 9 April, with a diagnosis of gastroenteritis but a stool sample couldn’t be taken until 17 April. The results of the tests are awaited.

Isaac missed over a week off school, returning for half-days from 17 April. 18 April was his first full day back in school, but he remains unwell.

Emily said: “Week on from first falling Ill, Isaac is still not back to his usual, lively self. He’s a shadow of the boy he was, and continues to be lethargic and is falling asleep at school, which is not like him at all. We’re just hoping he now goes on to make a full recovery.

“We had no choice but to attend A & E, which was a traumatic experience for all of us. We knew he’d struggle with a cannula and feeding tube being fitted, so doctors agreed a syringe could be used. It was such a difficult few days and Isaac was very distressed during his stay in hospital.

“I can’t believe all this could happen following a simple family day out to a farm. The animals did look unwell but you take it staff know best in these situations. It was clearly far too busy and as such, there was a distinct lack of supervision available in the pens where it was needed.

“I wasn’t shocked to learn that other people had similar experiences to us and had fallen ill in the same way. It doesn’t sound like any changes were made between any of these visits and you would hope now that lessons will be learned and something positive comes out of this. We all need answers to make sure no other family days out end with children in hospital.”

Find out more about Irwin Mitchell's expertise in handling public health cases