By Dave Lord

THE PERTHSHIRE tourist attraction at the centre of a major health scare has been criticised by a Perth father over its lack of adequate hand-washing facilities.

Garry Buchanan claims his family, including pregnant wife Susan, is living in fear after three-year-old son Ewen contracted a debilitating bug during a visit to Auchingarrich wildlife centre near Comrie.

He insisted environmental health officers should have shut the site down in the wake of the cryptosporidium outbreak.

Numerous cases have now been confirmed by NHS Tayside, which yesterday reiterated the need for impeccable hygiene in a bid to curb the further spread of the bug.

A probe has revealed that youngsters affected may have been feeding newborn lambs prior to falling ill.

Lambs have now been removed from the site but Mr Buchanan has insisted more must be done.

“My son is one of the statistics and it has been very scary,” he said from his home in the Letham area of Perth where Ewen is convalescing.

“He had very little contact with the lambs and simply fell over in the mud at the play park area.

“We believe the whole site should be temporarily closed down. It should remain shut until a full inquiry is carried out.”

Mr Buchanan is angry that his son is being forced to live “like a leper” as he bids to beat the horrific bug.

“My son does not understand what is going on—he is in a lot of pain and is very upset.

“My pregnant wife and other children cannot go anywhere near him and it is distressing for all the family.”

Mr Buchanan is unimpressed as the centre remains open, even though staff have suspended animal petting and erected warning signs. “I am quite annoyed that environmental health officers are allowing the centre to stay open,” he said.

“My wife and I are just really scared the bug could spread to our other children. We are having to keep Ewen totally separate and it is very hard.”

After carrying out an investigation a spokesman for Perth and Kinross Council revealed that a lack of facilities had been discovered at Auchingarrich.

“There is a lack of suitable provision of washing facilities at the handling areas,” he said.

“That is why the council’s environmental service required the immediate cessation of any intentional contact with animals.”

The wildlife centre’s owners yesterday said they would install additional facilities as required but stressed that anti-bacterial cream provided had previously been deemed suitable.

Gillian Carter said, “We adhered to strict regulations and we were aware that the cream that we had at the time before this outbreak was perfectly suitable.

“However, that will have to be looked at now.

“It is most unfortunate that some of the centre’s visitors have picked up the infection.”

Mrs Carter said it was the first time the popular attraction had experienced any such problem.

“We have been open for almost 14 years and have welcomed about 500,000 visitors,” she told The Courier.

“To our knowledge this is the first time this has happened.

“We do have animal and bird handling and advise visitors to wash their hands afterwards.

“Washing facilities and anti-bacterial handwash are also provided.

“We have removed the lambs and, as a temporary precaution, the petting area is shut.”

A spokesman for NHS Tayside said, “We would re-iterate the advice issued on Thursday.

“Anyone who has contact with someone with diarrhoea or with animals or their faeces should pay careful attention to their hygiene.

“Thorough hand-washing with soap and water is an effective way of avoiding infection.”

Cryptosporidium, commonly found in animal intestines, can cause diarrhoea, vomiting, stomach cramps and a slight fever.

A spokesman for NHS Tayside said there were 32 confirmed cases as of noon yesterday and another 200 people who had visited the centre had reported symptoms, though he stressed these were not confirmed cases.

He said, “Investigations are ongoing and it is unlikely all these people will have been infected.

“Our advice has not changed. If people who visited Auchingarrich and are ill or have concerns about their health they should contact their GP.

“If they wish further advice on cryptosporidium, the NHS helpline on 0800 224488 is available.”