Petting Zoos

Dear Lisa

A friend told me that there’s a recent outbreak of E.coli at petting zoos and I shouldn’t bring my child there. I don’t want to put my child at risk, but I do want him to have a normal life. Is it safe to go to petting zoos?

“Worried about germs at the zoo in N.J.”

Dear “Worried about germs at the zoo”

There have been some recent reports of children coming down with diarrhea illnesses such as Escherichia coli 0157:H7 after visiting petting zoos. The CDC released results of a case-control study of an outbreak of Escherichia coli 0157:H7 associated with two Florida petting zoos. Visitors who did and did not get sick were interviewed and the behaviors that were strongly associated with illness were feeding a cow or goat, touching a goat, stepping in manure and having manure on shoes. (1) Those that washed their hands after visiting the petting zoo and before eating didn’t get sick. It is not surprising that good old fashioned hand washing is needed to prevent the development of infection.

Other studies noted that a large percentage of people brought food and drinks into the zoo or ate and/or drank while at the zoo.(1) I can’t tell you how often I see a mother chasing a playing child, instructing him to eat; with one hand filled with fruit snacks and the other a juice box. This was not the practice 25 to 35 years ago when we were growing up. Our parents didn’t chase us around with snacks and drinks while we were playing. Following children around while they are playing and insisting that they eat gives them the wrong message. Children do not learn the concept of sitting at a clean table to eat with clean hands (not to mention the lesson learned from the delay of immediate gratification).

It is not surprising that today more children are developing diarrhea illnesses after visiting petting zoos. Zoos are dirty places and are meant for looking, learning and touching, not eating. I wouldn't worry about bringing your child to the zoo, just make sure he washes his hands with warm soapy water after leaving the petting zoo and feed him before you go. Oh, and don’t forget to clean off his shoes when you leave!

Have fun.

(1)Riley, Lauren. Common practices at petting zoos put people at risk for GI illnesses. Infectious Disease in Children. 2006;May: 54.

Lisa Kelly R.N., P.N.P., C.
Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner

Pediatric Advice Updated Daily