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Report On E coli O157 Outbreak On Surrey Farm – SAC Expert Says There Are Vital Messages For Scotland

SAC News Release Ref. No: 10N44
Published: 21 Jun 2010

While the severe outbreak of E. coli O157 linked to Godstone Farm, Surrey in August and September 2009 may have happened in England, SAC’s Head of Animal Health, Chris Low believes there are also important messages for Scotland. Dr. Low, who was a member of the committee investigating the outbreak, believes that the health and safety risks surrounding so called “Open Farms” are as relevant to Scotland as the south of England.

“It is important to know,” says Dr Low, “that E. coli O157 is carried by ruminant animals and may cause very serious illness after animal contact or through contaminated water supplies. It is not just limited to contaminated foodstuffs. E. coli O157 is different to other, relatively harmless, strains of E. coli. It was not identified until the 1980’s and it produces a toxin that may kill."

The outbreak of E. coli O157 at Godstone Farm was the largest ever linked to an open farm in the UK. It affected 93 people, 76 of them under 10 years old.  Of the 78 people with symptoms, 27 went to hospital where 17 (all children) were diagnosed with potentially fatal complications affecting the kidney. Dialysis was required for 8 of the children, some of whom may suffer lifelong problems.  

E. coli O157 is commonly carried by animals, with ruminants (cattle and sheep) considered a major reservoir. They show no illness, but sporadically will pass the infection in their dung. As there is no way of identifying where or when O157 has been shed then all cattle and sheep, or their dung, should be regarded as infected. The primary precaution for farm visitors is to be aware of the problem and to avoid contact with animal dung. Health Protection Scotland and SAC have worked to raise awareness for some years, in recognition of the risk E. coli O157 infection poses.  To assist the public and farm owners a leaflet is available with “Simple Precautions” which includes hand washing.

Godstone Farm has been described as a farm open to the public who were allowed close access to the livestock. The investigation found there are many types of open farms, with some welcoming as many as 200,000 people a year through their gates.  However there is no commonly recognised standard for the management of these premises and their regulation is complex. While many of the issues surrounding events at Godstone relate to English administration Dr Chris Low of SAC believes there are questions for Scottish authorities to address. 

“Key to this is minimising visitor contact with animal dung or any faecal matter,” he says.

“There needs to be greater awareness of the risks of animal contact among farm owners, regulatory authorities and the public.  At present the risk of E. coli O157 infection is classed as low by some agencies and I am not sure that is the right approach. It misleads the public about the seriousness of the illness and the importance of things like hand washing or keeping young children out of any muck. It is also not helped when the media just talk about “e coli” rather than this special strain.”

Chris Low believes that there should be another look at attitudes to “Open Farms” and their codes of practice.

“Farm operators need to consider the layout and design of public areas so that the risk of picking up infection is minimised. Hand washing facilities may need improvement but most importantly the whole visitor experience should be focussed on allowing the public to learn about farming whilst staying clean and away from dung.”

He says, “We all want people to see animals and know where food comes from, but public and professionals need to remember that many types of animal carry diseases which can infect and potentially harm humans, so simple precautions need to be adopted."

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News Release Issued By

Mr Ken Rundle
Senior Communications Officer
SAC (Scottish Agricultural College) Work SAC, King's Buildings, West Mains Road,
Edinburgh
EH9 3JG
TelWork 0131 535 4196

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