Will Humble, Executive Director, AZ Public Health Association, joined “Arizona Horizon” to share how changes in the State Health Department have led to health concerns, and how illnesses are seemingly tame for this time of year.
The series of E. coli cases that occurred (possibly linked to State Fair petting zoo), because of the state fair, has raised cause for concern. Previously, vendors were required to have a flow through pattern, so kids had to wash their hands after exiting the exhibit, but that was no longer a requirement this year.
Prevention for visitors to petting zoos and agricultural fairs
Do:
- Wash hands
- Before eating or drinking or preparing foodAfter petting or being around animals or their pensSupervise children’s hand washing
- Hand sanitizers are not a as effective as hand washing and shouldn’t be used as a substitute for hand washing!
- Wash Clothing after visiting animals
- Keep young children’s toys, pacifiers, and blankets outside of animal interaction areas.
Don’t:
- Eat or drink in animal areas.
- Bring pacifier, strollers, toys or spill-proof bottles into animal areas.
See www.fair-safety.com