Public Health Wales and Torfaen County Borough Council with the Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency are investigating an outbreak of cryptosporidium associated with a farm in Cwmbran.

Four people who have worked at Greenmeadow Community Farm have tested positive for cryptosporidium, and a further 13 possible cases in staff and volunteers are under investigation.

The one adult and three teenagers who have tested positive had all bottle fed lambs and kid goats that had diarrhoea.

There have been no reported cases of illness among members of the general public who visited the farm.

Dr Lika Nehaul, Consultant in Communicable Disease Control for Public Health Wales, said:

“The farm director instigated and has fully co-operated with our investigations. Handwashing after coming into contact with farm animals is of the utmost importance in preventing infection with cryptosporidium. There is no reason for anyone to avoid visiting petting farms as long as they ensure that anyone who has touched animals thoroughly washes their hands with hot water and soap immediately afterwards.”