Fair and Petting Zoo Safety

A resource for fair and petty zoo legal cases and outbreak prevention, sponsored by Marler Clark

Fair and Petting Zoo Safety:  Preventing E. coli Outbreaks

Millions of Americans get in touch with their rural roots each year by taking their children to agricultural fairs and petting zoos.  Venues like the state fair are as “American as apple pie”, but without precautions, these “apple pie” experiences can result in illness. 

Bringing the general public into direct contact with animals can result in the transmission of a host of pathogens that are public health hazards.  These hazards include bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites, and prions.  Certain segments of the population are more at-risk for contracting these pathogens:  the young, the elderly, pregnant women, and people with suppressed or compromised immune systems such as people infected with HIV/AIDS, cancer patients, and organ transplant recipients.

Public health officials have long recognized the need to maintain a sanitary environment in petting zoos and fairs, but recent outbreaks of E. coli O157:H7, Cryptosporidium, Campylobacter, and other zoonotic diseases among fair and petting zoo attendees have drawn increased public attention to the need for animal exhibitors to involve local health departments and sanitarians in planning to ensure a safe environment for exhibit attendees.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) frequently addresses this danger.  Most recently, in July 2007 CDC endorsed and published the National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians’ report, “Compendium of Measures to Prevent Disease Associated with Animals in Public Settings, 2007” (MMWR, July 6, 2007).

Major recommendations made by NASPHV in the report include:

  • Wash hands after contact to reduce the risk of zoonotic disease transmission.
  • Do not allow food, drink, or pacifiers in animal areas.
  • Include transition areas between animal areas and non-animal areas.
  • Educate visitors about disease risk and prevention procedures.
  • Properly care for and manage animals.

This website was designed to inform of the risks associated with exposure to zoonotic diseases at fairs and petting zoos, to provide access to research conducted on the transmission of zoonotic disease, and to be a resource for those looking for ways to prevent outbreaks before they occur.  We hope you will find the information you are looking for.