Natalie Smith and her brother, William Smith wash their hands as they leave a petting zoo in in Green Cove Springs, Fla., in 2005. File The Associated Press
Along with lambs, ducks and rabbits, petting zoos may also feature/sE. coli, salmonella and other disease-causing microorganisms. But according to a new study, few zoos consistently enforce hygienic practices that would keep these germs from spreading to humans.
Researchers made unannounced inspections of 36 Canadian petting zoos. Their report appears in the July 1 issue of Clinical Infectious Diseases.
While all but two of the zoos had hand-washing facilities, only about a quarter of visitors used them. At more than 80 percent of the zoos, people carried food into the animal areas. About a third permitted children younger than 6 to have unsupervised contact with the animals, and 65 percent allowed feeding animals by hand.... (click title above, thank you)
Petting Zoo Tips
Free Handwashing Posters for Community Petting Zoos (click here)
Handwashing reduces the risk of contracting diseases that animals can sometimes carry,such as E. coli, Salmonella and a number of other infections.
Health officials suggest these tips on how to enjoy petting zoos without getting sick:
Don’t kiss the animals and limit your contact with them and the surroundings, such asfencing, stalls and gates, because manure may be present on their body and in their environment.
Supervise young children and advise them to keep their hands out of their mouths.Don’t take food or drink into the animal area.
Wash your hands as soon as you exit the animal area, and help young children washtheir hands properly.
Washing with soap and warm water is best; use antibacterialtowelettes or lotion if handwashing facilities are not available.
Clean your shoes when you return home and after doing so wash your hands.
Call your doctor if you or your children get sick with stomach cramps, vomiting or diarrhea within a week of visiting a petting zoo. Tell the doctor you were around farm animals.
http://www.achd.net/infect/pettinginfo.htm
Allegheny County health agency offers hand-washing signs (click here)
By The Tribune-ReviewFriday, June 29, 2007
The Allegheny County Health Department is offering free hand-washing signs to operators of petting zoos and farm animal exhibits.
Children and adults should wash their hands after leaving such exhibits, the department said. The risk of contracting diseases that animals can sometimes carry, such as e. coli and salmonella, can be reduced by hand washing.
Events with petting zoos can obtain the free signs by calling the health department at 412-687-2243 or by downloading them from the department's Web site.
Link to the FREE Poster !
http://www.achd.net/food/pubs/pdf/pettingzooposter.pdf
Zoonoses—Animals Can Make You Sick
Zoonoses Fact Sheet
Diseases that can be transmitted from animals to humans are referred to as zoonotic diseases or zoonoses. Symptoms are frequently similar to other types of illnesses. While there are many zoonotic diseases, this fact sheet addresses those where there is some potential for infection in Allegheny County.
Steps to minimize the risk of contracting a zoonotic disease include wearing gloves for certain activities, a well-managed vaccination program, and good sanitation and personal hygiene.
http://www.achd.net/factsheet/zoo.html
