Stay Healthy At the Fair!

From watching calf roping at the rodeo to petting goats at the county fair, there are many ways to explore the animal world. Exhibits such as petting zoos and fairs allow children of all ages to have the thrilling experience of coming face-to-face with animals. This interaction allows people to learn more about animals and helps to build an important human-animal bond.

Working with farm animals can be a rewarding and meaningful experience for children. Caring for and showing these animals are great ways for children to learn about agricultural sciences and personal responsibility. However many farm animals, including cattle, goats, sheep, swine, and poultry, can carry germs such as Salmonella or E. coli that can make people sick.

Animals can carry germs even when they appear healthy and clean. The germs are shed in animals’ feces (poop) and can easily contaminate their bodies (fur or feathers) and anything in areas where these animals live and roam. People can become ill by touching farm animals or the areas where the animals live and roam.

Unfortunately, many people also become sick every year because of a visit to an animal exhibit. It is important to remember that animals sometimes carry germs that are harmful to humans. When people forget to wash their hands after petting an animal, or bring food or drinks into an area where animals are exhibited, they are at risk for becoming ill.

Luckily, there are simple steps that you can take to help prevent illness.

Who is at most risk?

Anyone can get sick from farm animals, but some people are more likely to have a serious illness:

• Children younger than 5 years of age
• Adults 65 years of age or older
• Pregnant women
• People with some illnesses (like cancer) that weaken immune systems

If You Are Visiting an Animal Exhibit Wash Hands Often

Find out where hand washing stations are located.

Always wash your hands right after petting animals or touching the animal enclosure.

Always wash hands upon exiting animal areas even if you did not touch an animal, after going to the toilet, before eating and drinking, before preparing food or drinks, and after removing soiled clothes or shoes.

Running water and soap are best. Be sure to wash your hands with soap and water as soon as a sink is available.  Use hand sanitizers if running water and soap are not available.  Livingston County Health Center provides bottles of hand sanitizer with a colorful sticker at various locations throughout the animal showing areas at the fair.  Get in the habit of either washing your hands, or using a few pumps of sanitizer to kill those germs that will make you very sick later.

Eat and Drink Safely

• Keep food and drinks out of animal areas.
• Food should be prepared, served, and eaten only in areas where animals are not permitted (with the exception of service animals).
• Do not eat or drink raw (unpasteurized) products, including milk, cheeses, and cider or juices.
• Do not share your food with animals.
• Remember; wash your hands before preparing food or drinks and before eating and drinking.

Keep Children Safe Around Animals

• Children younger than 5 years old always need adult supervision in animal areas.
• Never allow children to put their thumbs, fingers, or objects (for example: pacifiers) in their mouth while interacting with animals.
• Hand washing should be supervised.
• Do not take or use strollers, bottles, pacifiers, spill-proof cups, or toys in animal areas.
• Children younger than 5 years old, elderly persons, and persons with weakened immune systems should use special precautions when around animal exhibits.

Livingston County Fair has one of the best livestock shows in the area.  Don’t miss the opportunity to get your family out to the fairgrounds to check out a variety of farm and domestic animals—just be sure to wash your hands well and often!

Source: Centers for Disease Control