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KENNEWICK — Sheep and rabbits are cute and soft to touch and horses and goats are curious and like to be petted but many animals at fairs and petting zoos can carry bacteria that can make you sick.
The simple precaution of washing your hands with soap and water can save you days, maybe weeks, of intestinal distress.
"The most common path for the germs to enter our body is into the mouth by something we've touched," said Susan Shelton, surveillance program supervisor for the Benton-Franklin Health District.
She said some germs spread by animals are not destroyed by hand gels, so they need to be physically scrubbed off by washing your hands.
The animals don't have to be sick themselves to carry bacteria, according to the Washington State Health Department.
An animal's fur, skin and saliva can harbor bacteria that can then be passed to people who pet, touch, feed or are licked by animals.
Some of the bacteria you can pick up include E. coli, salmonella and more. Common symptoms are diarrhea and/or vomiting, typically lasting one to seven days. Other symptoms might include abdominal cramps, nausea, fever, joint/back aches and fatigue. Usually, symptoms pass in a few days, but if they're severe or worsen, see a doctor.
Young children are at eye- and nose-level with many fair animals makes them more prone to picking up bacteria in the barns.
Plus, some bacteria can live for months or years in an animal's bedding, flooring and even in clothing and shoes that touch these things.
"Even touching animal barricades or putting your bag down in an animal area is enough to pick up germs that could transfer from your hands to your mouth," Shelton said.
And be thorough when washing.
"The goal is physical removal of germs -- be sure you scrub your hands for at least 10 seconds with soap and rinse your hands with more scrubbing before you towel dry," Shelton said. "Don't underuse your towel -- rubbing your hands dry removes even more germs."
Hand washing from start to finish should take at least 20 seconds which is about the length of time it takes to sing the Happy Birthday song twice.
Here are some more tips:
w Watch young children. Make sure their hands stay out of their mouths until they are able to wash their hands.
w Consider leaving strollers outside the barn. They can pick up bacteria and transport it home.
w Hand washing isn't just for children, parents need to wash their hands too.
w Don't let children eat food while they're in animal exhibit areas.
w Don't take toys, pacifiers and baby bottles into the animal areas where they can be dropped on floors or come into contact with animals.
Food and drinks -- and pacifiers and sippy cups -- don't have to touch the animals or anything the animals have touched.
"They can become contaminated through the dust that's in the air in the animal stalls, and then make us sick when we put them in our mouths," Shelton explained.
More information on preventing animal diseases is on the state health department website, www.doh.wa.gov/ehp/ts/ZOO.HTM.
