Health Officials Warn Families Against Handling Lambs After Infection Outbreak

Health officials have urged families not to handle or cuddle lambs during farm visits following an outbreak of a parasitic infection that left dozens of people ill.

Source: tenby

More than 80 people fell sick with cryptosporidiosis, a stomach infection caused by the cryptosporidium parasite, linked to a petting farm in April 2025. One of the cases involved a four-year-old boy, Michael, who spent four days in hospital with fever and severe diarrhoea, according to his father, Gareth.

A public health official, Dr Andrew Nelson, said young farm animals can carry germs that cause illness and visitors should take precautions when visiting farms.

Health data show that more than 525 cases of cryptosporidium were confirmed in Wales last year, with about 35 percent involving children under the age of 10. The infection can cause severe diarrhoea, vomiting, fever and stomach cramps, and can be more serious for young children and vulnerable people.