Birmingham teen left "crying with pain" following farm visit
A Birmingham mum said she doesn't know when her daughter will feel better after falling ill following a visit to a farm.
Last updated 30th May 2024
A mum from Birmingham said her daughter is still unwell after visiting a farm and picking up an infection, which has affected more than 80 people.
14-year-old Sophie from Birmingham got ill a few days after visiting Gannow Farm in Worcestershire and was later diagnosed with cryptosporidium - a parasitic infection that can cause debilitating gastric illness.
Sophie's illness forced her to take time off school, affecting her preparation for her mock GCSE exams.
Mum Emma Cleverley said: "The whole time she was off poorly she was stressing about missing out on the work but she just needed to get better.
"School sent her work but she just couldn't do it, she was just sleeping or crying with pain."
The UK Health Security Agency and Wychavon District Council are continuing to investigate the cause behind the sickness which has affected adults and children as young as one year old, while Gannow Farm has temporarily closed.
Emma said: "I contacted the GP and they said she was the fourth person they'd seen that day that had all been to the farm and had the same symptoms - she was crying with the pain in her stomach, and said it felt like someone was slicing her stomach."
Emma said she still doesn't know when Sophie will get better, as she is still taking medication to school as she tries to push through her pain. She has returned to school on a reduced timetable, waiting for results from mock exams she sat while suffering from the early stages of her illness.
She said: "It can cause inflammation in the bowels and cause irritable bowel symptoms, and there's no timeframe on it, there are cases where people are still suffering two years down the line."
Gannow Farm said: "Our thoughts are with the families and children who have been ill in this difficult time. We have temporarily closed Gannow Farm and issued refunds to those who pre-purchased tickets.
"We are currently working closely with The UK Health Security Agency and our insurers and are unable to comment any further until the investigation is concluded."