Four farm attractions across England have now closed or partially closed in order to allow the Health Protection Agency (HPA) to investigate possible links with an outbreak of E.coli O157.
The number of cases linked to Godstone Farm and Playbarn in Surrey, which was forced to shut on 12 September after the first outbreak, has now increased from 36 to 67. Eight children remain in hospital, but none are said to be seriously ill.
Horton Park Children's Farm in Epsom, Surrey - the sister site of Godstone Farm - has also closed as a precautionary measure, although there are no suspected or actual cases of E.coli linked to the attraction.
Meanwhile, the HPA has launched a full investigation at White Post Farm near Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, after two individuals who recently visited the attraction were confirmed as having contracted the same strain of E.coli O157.
An investigation is also underway at the World of Country Life farm in Devon, which has partially closed due to a potential link between the attraction's petting farm and three confirmed cases of the E.coli illness. However, park bosses have stressed that only its petting farm and Deer Train ride has closed.
Following the outbreak at Godstone Farm and Playbarn, the HPA's chief executive, Justin McCracken, apologised to parents of the children most seriously affected by the outbreak over the agency's failure to act after reports of two cases were reported a week before the first confirmed case on 27 August.
McCracken said: "It is important that we have a full understanding of this outbreak because of the large number of people who appear to have been affected and the wide range of animals involved so that we can all learn the lessons from this serious outbreak."
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the National Farm Attractions Network (NFAN) said: "The NFAN is keen to ensure that all farm attractions are a safe environment and we are happy to co-operate with all authorities in their investigations.
"Ill health following a visit to an open farm is unusual, even among children, and these risks need to be balanced against the benefits for a child's education and development that arise from contact with animals."
