Fair and Petting Zoo Safety: Preventing E. coli Outbreaks
Petting zoos and Agricultural Fairs give urbanites a chance to connect with their rural roots. Kids and adults alike can’t resist furry or feathered farm animals.
Preventing E. coli outbreaks
While everyone knows that farm animals can sometimes cause injury by biting or kicking, not everyone is aware that these same animals can carry dangerous germs that cause serious illness, especially in young children.
What diseases can I or my child get from animals at a petting zoo or agricultural fair?
- E.coli O157:H7
- Shiga toxin E coli ( such as E. coli )
- Salmonella
- Cryptosporidia
- Campylobacter
How does it happen?
Many disease causing bacteria (germs) are present in farm animals manure. If a person touches something that has been contaminated with manure they could get it on their hands. If that person doesn’t wash their hands before eating or making food, the food can become contaminated with those germs and the person could come down with foodborne illness.
Who is at risk?
While anyone is at risk for these diseases, young children, persons with compromised immune systems and the elderly are particularly at risk for these types of illnesses. Of particular concern for young children is infection with E. coli O157:H7 as it can cause a serious potentially life-threatening complication called Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS).
What can I do to prevent illness while at a petting zoo/agricultural fair?
Click on Prevention for Visitors
What can I do if I own/operate a petting zoo or agricultural fair?
Fairs, petting zoos, and other animal exhibits have been increasingly linked to E. coli, Salmonella and Campylobacter outbreaks. Learn about past outbreaks and how to prevent outbreaks at fairs and petting zoos.
Additional Resources
Resources for Visitors and Operators
Recent Outbreaks
Recent petting zoo and fair outbreaks we've been tracking.
2011 Outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 linked with animal contact at a county fair. Minnesota
An outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 infec- tions associated with animal contact at a county fair occurred in August; both cases reported contact with goats. Two culture-confirmed cases with the...1990 Cryptosporidiosis outbreak associated with educational visit to dairy farm. England
1990 Eleven children aged 7 to 8 years from one school class developed diarrhoea and vomiting after an educational visit to a dairy farm. SHIELD, J. et al. Cryptosporidiosis--an educational...1992 Three outbreaks associated with Open Farm visits. England
Three separate incidents of cryptosporidiosis were reported between March and May, all apparently associated with visits to a single farm in Derbyshire by schoolchildren and other members of the public...1993 Cryptosporidiosis outbreak linked to viisiting a farm during lambing. Bedfordshire, England
In Bedfordshire 33 cases were reported in people who had visited a farm during lambing, and nine were admitted to hospital. DAWSON, A. et al. Farm visits and zoonoses. Commun...1993 Cryptosporidiiosis cases associated with farm open weekend. England
54 cases were associated with farm visits, 48 of whom had been to a farm open weekend in March. Eight cases were admitted to hospital.DAWSON, A. et al. Farm visits...Connect with Marler Clark
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