Our tour has taken us to quite a few fair venues this year, and like most years, these events have had us meeting folks near an entry gate at the fair or expo.  This past week, the setting was a bit different as we were placed right next to the animal pens at a large 4H expo!  It was a great opportunity to meet the kids, distribute safety books and talk severe weather safety, but as we stood there on the grounds, I watched and wondered…how safe was this location?

Less than a week ago I watched a young man leave his 4H pen where he had been grooming a bucket calf.  He stopped at three other pens to briefly speak to other 4H'ers and pet their animals.  Arriving at the exit to the barn, he headed straight to the funnel cake booth. Grabbing his paper plate with his dirty hands he proceeded to the bleachers where he sat and ate. Of course as soon as he was done, he came to our display and extended his hand to introduce himself...

Summertime means camping, swimming and fairs, but along with those things cames safety issues and health issues we should not ignore.

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 outbreaks of E. coli, 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.

I was so impressed by the cleanliness of the last fair we were at, but there have been some that we attended that had me worried…

Even though I was pretty convinced that this fair we just attended had taken great measures to protect the public and exhibitors alike, I frequently washed my hands and made sure I knew where I was stepping, eating, hanging out.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) frequently addresses this danger.  In fact, 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”.

Here were some of the recommendations from the report:

    * 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.

With the State Fair just around the corner and many more events yet to cram into the last remaining weeks of summer, remember to follow basic hygiene rules and stay aware of local and regional news concerning emerging problems and threats. Most of us never get sick of GOING to the fair and it would be a shame to get sick just because we went.