Researchers have provided details about one of the largest Cryptosporidium outbreaks in England in recent years. The outbreak of Cryptosporidium parvum was associated with a multi-day lamb petting event in the south-west of England in 2023. The primary hypothesis was that exposure to lambs within designated petting pens was the source of Cryptosporidium.
A study published in the journal Epidemiology and Infection detailed how an outbreak investigation found 23 laboratory-confirmed primary Cryptosporidium parvum cases, while the cohort study identified 83 cases of cryptosporidiosis-like illness. Individuals who held or cuddled a lamb within a pen were more likely to develop cryptosporidiosis-like illness. More than 4,000 laboratory-confirmed infections of the parasite are recorded in England every year.
An industry Code of Practice supports minimizing infection risks from animal contact at visitor attractions. In April 2023, routine surveillance by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) identified significantly higher Cryptosporidium lab notifications in the south-west of England compared to seasonally expected levels. A review of surveillance questionnaires found that many cases visited a single venue in the preceding Easter holiday period for a lamb petting experience.
Access to the venue allowed entry to one of four lamb pens for petting and bottle feeding while adults watched from outside the pen. Although handwashing facilities and signage were present, they were not near .