The Department of Health is considering issuing new guidelines on open farm visits for young children following an outbreak of E. Coli infection that has been linked to four petting farms across the country.
Health experts called for the current guidelines to be revised after 79 cases of E. Coli 0157 were traced to the Godstone Farm and Playbarn, a children's farm in Epsom, Surrey, which has closed while an investigation into the outbreak is carried out. At least 12 children have been hospitalised.
Officials have also closed the Horton Park Children's Farm in Epsom, Surrey, which has the same owners, after an environmental health inspection found its hygiene arrangements to be unsatisfactory.
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