Animal Safety

Contact with animals in public settings, such as petting zoos, fairs, and other animal exhibits, provides opportunities for entertainment and education about animals. However, inadequate understanding of disease transmission and animal behavior can lead to illness or injury, especially among children.

What diseases can I get from animals?
All animals naturally carry a range of microorganisms, some of which can be transmitted to humans and cause illness, human injury, and allergic reactions. Many diseases in the past decade have been linked with animal contact at petting zoos, zoos, circuses, farm tours, livestock birthing exhibits, county or state fairs, and schools. Organisms linked to human disease have included E. Coli 0157, Campylobacter, Salmonella, Giardia, Rabies, and Cryptosporidium.

What precautions can I take to prevent these types of illnesses from animals?
The primary mode of transmission is the fecal/oral route. Since animal fur, hair, or skin can become contaminated with feces, transmission can occur when animals are petted or touched. Washing your hands after touching the animals and their living quarters is the best way to prevent these types of illnesses.

What precautions should an operator of an animal exhibit take to ensure their customers are safe?
Providing education to visitors and staff is essential to reducing illness risks. Persons at high risk for serious infection including children under 5 years of age, the elderly, pregnant women, or people with compromised immune systems, should observe heightened precautions at any animal exhibit.

The following steps are recommended:

Provide educational information prior to any animal visit
Washing hands after coming in contact with any animal
Separating eating areas from animal contact areas
Prohibiting food and beverages in animal contact areas
Proper supervision during animal contact
Daily cleaning and disinfection of animal areas
Daily manure removal
Removing sick animals

Last Updated: Feb 4, 2009 2:35 PM