Calgary petting farm hit with outbreak of ‘diarrhea-causing parasite’

A cryptosporidium outbreak has been declared at the Butterfield Acres Petting Farm in Calgary.

Provincial health authorities released the information Tuesday, saying those who visited the farm on or after April 9 might have been exposed.

In a statement on its website, Butterfield Acres said one of two twin calves acquired in late March was carrying cryptosporidium.

The farm described cryptosporidium as “a diarrhea-causing parasite common in cattle.”

The province says spread occurs “when someone comes into contact with infected feces and then touches their mouth, usually with unwashed hands.”

Not everyone will show symptoms, the province said.

But many “will have watery diarrhea,” and some could experience “fever, nausea, vomiting, belly pain and weight loss.”

Symptoms can begin two to 10 days after exposure.

They can last up to a couple of weeks.

Butterfield Acres said in its statement the sick calf “is no longer with us, and we have disinfected his pen.”

“The twin remains with us as he tested negative and is healthy, but we are keeping him ‘in quarantine’ for the time being,” the farm said.

“We are working under the watchful eye of Alberta Health to ensure all the bases are covered.”

The province also said it “is working closely with the facility to reduce the risk to the public, and the farm is currently closed to the public.”

Meanwhile, Butterfield Acres said it “will be under a health alert for (we expect) the next 1-2 weeks but will remain open.”

CTV News Calgary has reached out to the farm but has not yet heard back.