Department of Health says farm likely source of cryptosporidium cases
CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE — The Cape May County Health Department confirmed four laboratory positive cryptosporidium cases and 11 probable cases (experienced symptoms), stating they likely originated at Misty Meadow Sheep Dairy in Petersburg.
The farm, at 100 Dennisville-Petersburg Road, offers behind-the-scenes tours of the barns where participants learn how to raise sheep and run a dairy farm.
“You’ll come face to face with our sheep and learn all about lambing, milking and making cheese,” according to mistymeadowtickets.com.
Owner Bill Simmerman said the health department’s allegations are unfounded and destroyed his business.
Cryptosporidium is an intestinal illness caused by a parasite and can be spread through water, consuming contaminated food or touching the mouth with contaminated hands, for example after touching an infected animal or contaminated surface.
The first case was reported to Atlantic County Health Department on March 23. Atlantic County then reported the case to Cape May County as they identified Misty Meadow as a possible source of the infection. Cape May County also reported its first unrelated case March 23.
In a news release, the Cape May County Health Department stated Misty Meadow was identified as a common location visited within the infection period. The positive cases all identified the sheep dairy as a place visited within the infection period and it is the only location that all positive cases had in common.
“Following this finding, Misty Meadow implemented all mitigation procedures requested by the Department of Health, including installing hand-washing stations, installing signage and providing visitor education,” the news release stated.
As a result, the Department of Health determined that no further action was necessary, and never found a need to close the farm. The county is satisfied that with guests practicing safe hygiene, Misty Meadow is a safe place for the public to visit.
During a meeting April 11, Upper Township Committee passed a resolution urging the county Board of Commissioners to support local farms and agriculture amid the report of illness related to Misty Meadow.
Simmerman said the damage already has been done, with social media leading to multiple cancellations.
“It’s devastating what’s happened to my farm,” Simmerman said. “I’m done.”
He said the Department of Health “took five minutes to ruin my business” and claimed no testing was even conducted.
Simmerman said he has spent years to “build something worthwhile to the township.”
“I cannot sell sheep anymore because people think I have disease on my farm,” he said. “How are we going to fix this?”
Simmerman lamented how few young farmers there are and hoped to see measures to prevent what happened to him from hurting others.
“I don’t have enough time left in my life to rebuild what they took from me,” he said.
Simmerman was shocked all this could happen so quickly without concrete proof.
“It’s all social media,” he said. “They killed me. I don’t want anyone to get sick, but the whole system stinks.”
He pointed out that all his employees were in attendance and healthy.
Simmerman said he has had to pay $15,000 worth of refunds for cancellations.
Committee member Kimberly Hayes, a nurse, pointed out that a stomach bug has been going around lately, which could explain illnesses unrelated to the farm.
Simmerman agreed, saying the Department of Health hasn’t shut down zoos, animal shelters or pet stores.
Simmerman suggested the need for a liaison between the Department of Health and municipalities who is versed in the farming business “instead of this bureaucracy.”
By KYLE McCRANE and CRAIG D. SCHENCK/Sentinel staff