Calgary’s Butterfield Acres Petting Farm closed due to spread of diarrheal parasite
Posted Apr 28, 2026 12:43 pm.
Last Updated Apr 28, 2026 12:54 pm.
A petting farm in northwest Calgary is closed after a parasite was detected earlier in April, according to the province.
Public Health Alberta is warning those who visited Butterfield Acres Petting Farm on April 9 that they may have been exposed to the cryptosporidium parvum parasite.
The parasite is referred to as “crypto,” and causes cryptosporidiosis, a watery diarrhea disease with other symptoms such as fever, nausea, vomiting, belly pain, and weight loss. Symptoms appear around 2-10 days after infection and can last 1-2 weeks.
Crypto lives in the intestines of infected animals and humans, and can spread when making contact with infected feces before touching your mouth, usually with unwashed hands.
Some people don’t suffer symptoms, and the province says most people with “healthy immune systems” will recover without treatment.
Those with symptoms are asked to consider calling 811 or talking to their primary care provider for an assessment. Those who are immunocompromised should consider an early medical assessment.
Additionally, staying hydrated is important for those with symptoms of GI illness.
The farm, which closed on Monday, says the issue came from an affected calf that has since recovered.
It expects to pass an inspection on Tuesday afternoon and believes it will reopen on Wednesday.
This is the second time in the past year that Butterfield Acres has had to close due to a disease on site. Nine cases of avian flu were detected back in October 2025.
Public Health Alberta recommends the following to prevent the spread of infection:
- Frequently wash your hands with warm, soapy water, including after you go to the washroom, before you prepare food, after you touch raw meat, after changing diapers, and before you eat.
- Thoroughly wash all kitchen tools and surfaces before and after meal preparation.
- Do not share food, drink, or eating utensils with someone experiencing symptoms.
- Patients with symptoms should be advised to practice good hand hygiene, use a separate washroom where possible, avoid preparing food for others, and remain home from daycare or school until 48 hours after symptoms have resolved.
- If you have diarrhea, please do not enter any swimming pool, water spray park, or other aquatic facility for at least two weeks after symptoms resolve.
Other tips to avoid infections from animals at a petting zoo include:
- Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after touching an animal or the environment around an animal.
- Avoid touching animal feces or urine.
- Avoid touching an animal, then touching your face, food, or other things you’ll touch later, such as a phone or wallet.
- Don’t let an animal lick your mouth or face.
- Avoid touching dirt or sand where feces are likely to have been.
- With young children, discourage pacifier use and thumb-sucking.
More information can be found on the MyAlbertaHealth website.
