2009 Outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 Linked to a Petting Zoo, England
Thirteen children were hospitalized after an outbreak of E.coli O157:H7 that was linked to a visit to Godstone Farm. The Godstone Farm is located in Redhill, Surrey, England, United Kingdom. The farm had areas where visitors could touch the animals. Thirty-three of 102 stool samples from the animals at the farm were found to contain E.coli O157:H7 bacteria. The Health Protection Agency admitted that it should have put safety measures in place earlier to prevent the outbreak. An independent report agreed that there were unacceptable delays in recognizing and responding to this outbreak.
- Outbreak began:
- August 2009
- Affected Country:
- International
- Affected States/Territories:
- Not Applicable
- Organism(s):
-
- E. coli O157:H7
- Vehicle(s):
- Animal contact
- Molecular Results Available:
- Unknown
- Test Results:
- None
- Location(s):
- Farm, Petting Zoo
- Brand Name(s):
- Godstone Farm and Playbarn
- Total ill:
- 93
- Number ill by Case Definition Known:
- Unknown
- Number Laboratory Confirmed Cases:
- N/A
- Number Probable Cases:
- N/A
- Number Possible Cases:
- N/A
- Anyone Hospitalized:
- Yes
- Number Hospitalized:
- 13
- Any Deaths:
- Unknown
- Number Dead:
- Unknown
- Any References:
- Yes
-
- References:
- http://www.foodpoisonjournal.com/2009/09/articles/
- http://www.tandridge.gov.uk/news/news.htm?mode=10&
- http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/61866
- http://www.farmersguardian.com/news/hpa-delays-let
- http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/6211749/E-c
- http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/78296