Research on Fair and Petting Zoo Outbreaks

The concept of zoonotic diseases is extremely well established and has a long history.  Case studies have clearly established a causal link between human enteric pathogenic illnesses and exposure to animals (Szita, 1980; Trevena, 1999).  The case studies have verified the transmission of enteric pathogens, such as Campylobacter jejuni, Cryptosporidium, and E. coli O157:H7 from animals to humans at common public venues such as petting zoos, open farms, and animal exhibits at state and county fairs.

There is a 2.45-fold increased risk factor for sporadic cases of verocytotoxin-producing Escherichia coli O157 infection when humans have contact with animals in a farm environment.  One particularly strong paper establishing such a causal relationship was published by O’Brien et al in November-December of 2001.