The Danger Cannot be Overlooked. 

The Deadly Petting Zoo and Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome

State says 15 possible kidney disease cases now linked to fair zoos
Associated Press
Posted March 25 2005, 6:43 PM EST
TALLAHASSEE -- State health officials said Friday that at least 15 people, including 11 children, who recently visited central Florida festivals have since tested positive for a dangerous strain of E. coli or a potentially fatal kidney disease caused by the bacterium.
While local health officials have said the cases appeared to be linked to petting zoos at the festivals, state Health Secretary John Agwunobi cautioned that the apparent outbreak hasn't been definitively linked to touching animals.

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/florida/sfl-325pettingzoo,0,5100709.story

Florida Officials Seek a Link in 15 Cases of a Kidney Illness
Fifteen people in Florida who visited agricultural fairs recently have developed a life-threatening kidney disease or are infected with bacteria that can cause it, Florida health officials said yesterday.

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/03/26/health/26zoo.html

Two More Ill After Visiting Petting Zoos
Friday March 25, 2005 4:31 AM
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) - Two more children have been stricken with life-threatening kidney infections after visiting petting zoos at fairs, bringing the total hospitalized in central Florida to nine, officials said Thursday.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,1280,-4890846,00.html

2 more cases of kidney ailments reported
By Robyn Shelton
Sentinel Medical Writer
March 24, 2005, 12:42 PM EST
Two additional cases of a mysterious kidney ailment have been confirmed in Central Florida patients, hospital officials said today.
A child and an adult have been admitted to Florida Hospital Orlando in critical condition with kidney failure, said Dr. Mehul Dixit, a pediatric nephrologist. They are suffering from HUS or "hemolytic uremic syndrome," an uncommon ailment that develops after an infection causes the kidneys to malfunction.

http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/nation/orl-bk-kidney032405,0,3954282.story?coll=ny-leadnationalnews-headlines

Kids in critical after petting zoo visit
ORLANDO, Fla. -- Five children were in critical condition with kidney failure and may have picked up a rare infection at petting zoos, health officials said.

http://www.suntimes.com/output/news/cst-nws-pet24.html

Brevard Zoo visitors take precautions
Kidney syndrome a rare complication from early infection
VIERA - Five-year-old Ambar Delgado stretched her arms out Thursday at the Brevard Zoo, unafraid to pet the goat's back.
Her father, too, wasn't worried because she's learned to practice the best line of defense against disease: using the hand sanitizer on a nearby fence post.

http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050325/NEWS01/503250334/1006

Seventh child falls ill in Orlando after visiting petting zoos
Posted on : 2005-03-25 Author : Philip Green
News Category : Health

Reports are that a seventh child and one more adult have been diagnosed with HUS (Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome) that has so far affected six kids who have visited petting zoos in Orlando, Fl. Doctors are speculating that this fatal kidney infection is a result of bacteria found in animal feces. Authorities say that at least three children are on dialysis.

http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/2143.html