How E.coli farm outbreak unfolded

The first case of E.coli linked to Godstone Farm, near Redhill in Surrey, was reported two and a half weeks ago. Thirty-six people, including 12 children, have been taken ill. Three children remain seriously ill.

The Health Protection Unit is tracking the spread of the virus

27 August - Surrey-Sussex Health Health Protection Unit (HPU) receive a laboratory report of a case of E.coli 0157. Environmental health officers investigate and find the person had visited Godstone Farm.

28 August - Environmental health officers contact the farm to advise them to remind visitors to wash hands after petting animals.

1 September - Three more cases are reported to HPU. One of them had visited the farm on 8 August and is believed to be the earliest case of E.coli in the outbreak. A farm visit is arranged for 3 September.

3 September - Environmental health officers and Health Protection Agency (HPA) officials inspect the farm. They tell managers visitors should no longer have contact with high risk animals. Four more cases are reported to the HPU.

4 - 11 September - More cases are reported to the HPU. All had visited the farm before control measures were introduced on 3 September.

11 September - The farm is advised to close after the HPU learns that a person who visited the farm on 4 September, after control measures were introduced, has contracted E.coli.

12 September - The farm is closed to the public. Visitors are informed of the outbreak via messages on its website and telephone line. The HPA says four children are seriously ill in hospital.

13 September - The farm manager, Richard Oatway, says the farm is committed to visitor safety and is fully co-operating with the authorities. Three children remain seriously ill.

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version