An open farm which closed this month amid concerns over E.coli has now reopened. Five people who tested positive for the infection in recent weeks had visited, or had an association, with the Streamvale farm outside Belfast. It closed voluntarily as it emerged that 90 pupils and staff at three primary schools were to be tested for the bug.
Streamvale's owners said they carried out an extensive cleaning programme and the farm was then inspected by the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSE NI). Judith Morrow, one of the owners said, "We are delighted to reopen this morning following the positive outcome of the inspection. It's business as usual again after this short voluntary closure and we look forward to welcoming visitors, old and new, through the doors to enjoy all our favourite attractions."
The farm was closed after a P1 pupil at Rosetta Primary School who visited it was found to be carrying the bug. Pupils there and at two other south Belfast schools recently took part in an excursion to the open farm. The other pupils are from Cregagh and Holy Rosary primaries. In recent weeks, 14 cases of the bug have been confirmed. While no source has been positively identified, five of the 14 cases either went to the farm or were associated with it shortly before being tested positive.
