Blog, General news, Mobile handwash basin needs no mains water, Schools and nurseries, Workforce hand washing
Hand washing alert as 28 fall ill at Welsh petting farm
May
Cryptosporidium is the main suspect…
Public Health Wales (PHW) is reportedly investigating a significant outbreak of illness at a petting farm shop in Cowbridge, south Wales. The illnesses are suspected to have been caused by the parasite cryptosporidium, according to a recent report on the LBC website.
Article author Danielle de Wolfe wrote that the farm would be closing its feeding and petting sessions. The importance of effective hand hygiene – in this case soap and water hand washing, NOT the use of hand gels – was also emphasised for those visiting farms to use soap and water diligently after touching animals.
“Cryptosporidium is a parasite that can cause gastrointestinal illness, often linked to contact with animals, particularly young farm animals” says a report on the same incident by Catriona Aitken and Harriet Horgan on the BBC website. Again, the importance of soap and water hand washing is emphasised by PHW in this article.
“PHW also urged people to follow good hygiene practices when visiting farms, including washing hands after touching animals…”
Hand washing guidance
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) in the update What is cryptosporidium, and how can you avoid it in the water or on the farm? warns the the “sometimes dangerous” can be caught by anyone – “but the illness is particularly common in children between 1 and 5 years old”.
The “deeply unpleasant” symptoms can last for 2 weeks advises the UKHSA, and can be a major issue for those with weakened immune systems.
There is however some good news regarding cryptosporidiosis, the illness caused by cryptosporidium. In short, it’s largely preventable by following a number of simple hygiene steps, says the Agency.
“Wash hands frequently with soap and warm water, especially before eating, after going to the toilet, and after contact with pets/animals”.
Teal mobile hand wash sinks – place them wherever they’re needed.
Some can even be used safely outdoors!
There are vehicle mounted, wall mounted, mains powered and free standing hand wash stations as well as mobile sinks for use with pre-heated hot water.
The Teal range of mobile sinks includes the MediWash, Hygienius and Hygienius ProWash, BigSynk, Super Stallette, TEALwash, Handeman Xtra, Compact Classic, HandSpa, CliniWash – and now the new WashStand Xtra.