Gannow Farm, Inkberrow: Parents want answers after sickness

Visitors were struck down with sickness and diarrhoea symptoms after a day out at Gannow Farm, in Inkberrow.

Some were hospitalised with an animal parasite called cryptosporidium after going to the attraction over the Easter period.

The petting farm is now being investigated after families contacted public health lawyers.

The UK Health Security Agency has also launched a probe and Gannon Farm announced it will close for the remainder of its Farm Experience 2024 season.

One of the children affected was Georgia Powell, four, who remains ill and unable to return to nursery following a visit on Easter Monday.

Georgia Powell (Image: SWNS)

Mum Michelle Powell, 41, from Redditch, said Georgia was struck down with sickness around a week later. Georgia has since tested positive for cryptosporidium. 

Ms Powell said: “Easter Monday was meant to be a fun day out for Georgia to see the farm animals. I never dreamed it could turn into such a nightmare.

“To see your four-year old so sick was just devastating".

Another Redditch family including mum Danielle Furlong, 33, and daughters, Sienna-Mai Southern, and Darcie Southern, aged nine and three, also fell ill after a trip on April 2.

Darcie and Sienna-Mai Southern (Image: SWNS)

Both girls began to fall poorly a few days later and on April 11, contacted their GP.

The GP advised Sienna went to hospital and she was admitted to Birmingham Children’s hospital on April 11.

She was treated with anti-sickness and rehydration medication. Sienna was discharged later that day, but continues to be unwell, as does sister Darcie.

Sienna-Mai is a national winner in girls’ motorcross and due to the continuing effects of her illness, has been unable to race since.

Ms Furlong said: “This was one family day out we’ll always remember for all the wrong reasons.

"When the girls fell ill, it was a huge concern and we’re all continuing to live with the effects weeks later".

Emily Fryer’s five-year-old son, Isaac, also fell ill following a visit on March 27 this year.

Ms Fryer, aged 44, took her son to A&E at Worcestershire Royal Hospital on April 7. Initially told he had flu-like symptoms, Isaac was discharged, only to return when he hadn’t eaten in four days.

Isaac was admitted and doctors advised he might need a cannula and feeding tube, but it was ultimately agreed he would be fed using a syringe.

Isaac Fryer was also taken ill (Image: SWNS)

He remained in hospital until April 9, with a diagnosis of gastroenteritis but a stool sample couldn’t be taken until April 17. The results of the tests are awaited.

Isaac missed over a week off school and still remains unwell.

Ms Fryer, of Redditch, said: “Week on from first falling Ill, Isaac is still not back to his usual, lively self.

"He’s a shadow of the boy he was, and continues to be lethargic and is falling asleep at school, which is not like him at all.

"We’re just hoping he now goes on to make a full recovery".

Jatinder Paul, the specialist public health lawyer at Irwin Mitchell who is supporting the families, said: “The first-hand accounts we’ve heard from the families who have contacted us following visits to Gannow Farm around the same time are deeply concerning, especially as most infected are young children.

“We’re now supporting more than 20 people who have all fallen seriously ill following their visit to the petting farm".

In a Facebook post, the farm said: "We at Gannow Farm take the welfare of our visitors very seriously and for that reason we have decided to close for the remainder of the 2024 Farm Experience.

"This is a decision taken by the team and not by governing bodies however we are working closely with them as always.

"All bookings for April 13th, 14th, 20th and 21st will be fully refunded, please bear with us while we work through this difficult time.

"We would like to wish anyone that is poorly a speedy recovery."