Health officials today sounded the alarm over an outbreak of a gruesome diarrhoea-causing parasite at a petting farm in Wales.

At least 28 people have been infected with cryptosporidium which can pass between animals and humans, as well as between people.

Health chiefs investigating the cluster of cases believe they are all linked to Cowbridge Farm Shop at Marlborough Grange Farm in Cowbridge.

The shop is thought to have offered cuddle and feeding sessions with lambs and calves. 

People become infected with cryptosporidium — which also causes stomach cramps, vomiting and in rarer cases blood in stools — via contact with infected faeces.

This can be direct contact from an infected animal or person, or from contaminated surfaces like farm gates or the bottom of shoes. 

People then accidentally infect themselves, or others, by not washing their hands thoroughly. 

Infected people can shed up to 100million cryptosporidium germs in a single bowel movement, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Health chiefs investigating the cluster of cases believe they are all linked to Cowbridge Farm Shop at Marlborough Grange Farm (pictured) in Cowbridge

Last year UKHSA issued a warning about the risk of cryptosporidium infection from farm visits 

Swallowing just ten of these germs is enough to get ill. 

Public Health Wales (PHW) said the shop had voluntarily stopped the feeding and petting sessions and was cooperating with the investigation.

It is investigating along with Cardiff and Vale health board and Vale of Glamorgan council.

The farm also initially posted a short statement announcing the closure of its petting and feeding experiences due to ‘unforeseen circumstances’.

However, the post has since been removed from its Facebook page.

Su Mably, a consultant in health protection at Public Health Wales said: ‘We are working closely with partners to investigate these cases and to understand if there is a wider risk to the public. 

‘We would advise anyone who has visited the farm, particularly those who attended feeding or petting sessions, and who is now experiencing symptoms to contact their GP.’

According to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), people visiting farms should take precautions to protect themselves from infection including checking there are good hand-washing facilities at the farm with hot water, soap and paper towels.

Cryptosporidium parasites are protected by a thick shell that allows them to even survive in chlorinated swimming pool water

Children and their supervisors should wash their hands carefully after touching the animals and other farm objects and especially before eating or drinking.

Children should not eat or drink or put their fingers in their mouths whilst close to animals and before washing their hands. 

If possible, visitors should clean shoes and pushchair wheels before leaving the farm and wash hands immediately after cleaning is complete.

For most people, cryptosporidiosis — the technical name for the infection — is mild.

It typically clears on its own without any treatment within a few days or weeks.

However, for vulnerable people, like those with weakened immune systems and the elderly or patients undergoing cancer treatment, it can be more serious.

Some of the symptoms, such as abdominal pain and blood in the stools, may be particularly anxiety-provoking as they mimic the signs of bowel cancer, which is known to be on the rise.  

Due to the bug’s highly infectious nature people with symptoms such as diarrhoea and vomiting are told to stay off work or school until they have been free from these symptoms for at least 48 hours.

Last May, more than 100 people were also infected by cryptosporidium in Brixham, Devon. The outbreak was believed to be linked to water contaminated with infected faeces making its way into the drinking supply 

Victims can also experience periods of false hope where their symptoms clear for a few days, making them believe they are finally over the infection, only for it to return. 

Most people with cryptosporidiosis aren’t offered treatment and are instead told to drink plenty of fluids and minimise contact with other people while waiting until symptoms pass. 

People are typically infected via contact with faeces containing the parasite, either from humans or animals, that then enters their mouth. 

Risk of water supplies becoming infected is also higher following periods of heavy rainfall and when animals are giving birth, such as the lambing season.

Last year the UKHSA issued a warning about the risk of cryptosporidium infection from farm visits.

In a twist on the classic children’s rhyme the agency wrote on social media: ‘Mary had a little lamb, its fleece was white as snow.

‘But wash your hands and dry them too in case it has crypto.’

Last May, more than 100 people were also infected by cryptosporidium in Brixham, Devon. 

The outbreak was believed to be linked to water contaminated with infected faeces making its way into the drinking supply. 

Whole streets in the town were infected, with victims forced to endure days of diarrhoea and agonising stomach cramps, with one sufferer even comparing them to ‘childbirth’.