Petting Zoos Associated With Infectious Disease Outbreaks
A new study concerning petting zoos and germs recently appeared in the journal Clinical Infectious Diseases. The study finds that health guidelines are frequently ignored in petting zoos -- particularly hand washing guidelines -- and that a number of serious intestinal diseases can be attributed to the fact. Between 1991 and 2005, according to the study, 55 reported outbreaks of intestinal disease were ultimately traced back to the presence of animals in public events. E. coli, Salmonella, Cryptosporidium, and Campylobacter were found to be typical contaminates. These bacteria occur naturally in the digestive tracts of many animals, and are eventually spread to the hair and holding pens of those animals through their feces. When petting zoo patrons were infected, it was almost always by inadvertently touching the bacteria, then spreading it to their mouths. The report notes that almost all petting zoos observed in the study provided hand washing facilities nearby, but only about 30% of visitors ever used them.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control recommends the following to prevent illnesses associated with petting zoos:
- "Find out where hand-washing stations are located.
- Always wash your hands after petting animals or touching the animal enclosure, especially before eating and drinking.
- Running water and soap are best. Use hand gels if running water and soap are not available.
- Keep food and drinks out of animal areas.
- Do not share your food with animals.
- Do not eat or drink raw (unpasteurized) dairy products.
- Children younger than 5 years old need supervision
- Never allow children to put their hands or objects (For example: pacifiers) in their mouth while interacting with animals.
- Hand washing should be supervised."
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