Illness Cancels Concert at Welsh Music Festival
Eight children hospitalized with flu-like symptoms during the Llangollen International Eisteddfod.
A concert at the Llangollen International Eisteddfod in Denbighshire was abruptly canceled after eight children were hospitalized with flu-like symptoms, raising concerns about a possible outbreak at the festival.
Health Scare at Festival
The Welsh Ambulance Service confirmed that the children were transported from the festival grounds to Wrexham Maelor Hospital on Wednesday, all exhibiting flu-like symptoms. Public Health Wales stated that medical professionals assessed eight children showing mild respiratory symptoms.
Organizers of the Llangollen International Eisteddfod were compelled to cancel a performance by **Karl Jenkins**, a Welsh musician and composer, due to the health concerns. However, they affirmed the festival would resume operations Thursday morning.
According to Public Health Wales, none of the children were in critical condition. The festival described the situation as “an extraordinary incident related to a flu-like outbreak with multiple people coming forward with similar symptoms.”
Festival Response and Safety Measures
Festival organizers emphasized their commitment to safety. “The Llangollen International Eisteddfod takes the safety of its audience, competitors, performers and volunteers extremely seriously,”
they stated. The organizers also expressed gratitude, saying, “We’d like to thank our staff, medical staff and our volunteers for their swift response this evening.”
While investigations continue to determine the exact cause of the illnesses, similar outbreaks of respiratory illnesses can spread rapidly in crowded settings. According to the CDC, viral respiratory illnesses cause millions of infections in the U.S. each year, leading to numerous hospitalizations (CDC).
Looking Ahead
The festival is expected to continue, and health officials will likely monitor the situation closely to prevent further spread of illness among attendees.
