Pat, Pet, but Protect

With the Easter holidays upon us and petting farms and zoos welcoming visitors, some for the first time this year, UK Health Security (UKHSA) East advises people visiting such attractions to stay safe by ensuring good hand hygiene after touching farm and zoo animals or their surroundings.

Dr Louise Catling, Public Health Registrar at UKHSA East, said:

“Visiting a farm or zoo can be great fun for all ages especially at this time of year when we are approaching petting season, but people should be aware that contact with animals carries a risk of infection because of the bugs they naturally carry.

"Unfortunately in the spring and summer months we often see a rise in cases of gastrointestinal infections including cryptosporidiosis, E.coli 0157, Salmonella, Campylobacter and Giardia.

"The best way to protect yourself and others is to make sure to wash hands thoroughly with soap and water after contact with animals, especially before eating and drinking. We are very used to washing our hands thoroughly after two years of the COVID pandemic but we must not forget that this simple measure can also keep many other germs at bay.”

If you or anyone in your group is sick or has diarrhoea within two weeks of visiting a farm, please contact your GP or call NHS 111 as soon as possible.

Advice to farm and zoo visitors:

• Visiting a farm or petting zoo is an enjoyable and educational experience for many people. However, animals can carry a number of infections that may be harmful to people, especially children and pregnant women.
• People who come in to contact with animals should be aware of the potential for infections from animals.
• It should be assumed that all farm animals will be carrying infections, even if they appear clean and healthy.
• Outbreaks of infections associated with animals tend to happen in the spring linked to lambing events and also during the summer when people are on holiday.
• If you’re planning a school or group visit to a farm or zoo, you also need to make sure that you’ve considered all the risks and taken steps to manage them.

It is important to remember to:

• read and listen to the advice provided by the facility
• wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after you have touched animals, fences or other surfaces in animal areas
• wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before eating or drinking
• remove and clean boots or shoes that might have become soiled, clean pushchair wheels and then wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water
• supervise children closely to ensure that they wash their hands thoroughly
• eat and drink in picnic areas or cafes only

Try not to:

• put hands on faces or fingers in mouths while petting animals or walking round the farm or zoo
• kiss animals nor allow children to put their faces close to animals
• eat or drink while touching animals or walking round the farm - including not eating sweets, crisps or chewing gum
• eat anything that has fallen on the floor
• use gels or wipes instead of washing hands with soap and water as they do not remove the germs found on farms and zoo animals