Sutter Creek, CA – Recent confirmed cases of illness underscore the importance of practicing prevention measures when interacting with animals at county and state fairs. Seven cases of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli developed in children after visiting the San Diego California county fair livestock barns. Two children were hospitalized and one has died. “The death of a child is always devastating,” comments Dr. Rita Kerr, Amador County Health Officer. “Prevention measures are important to highlight. Washing hands, keeping human food away from animal areas, and watching children closely are all steps everyone can take to remain healthy at our fair. Even healthy appearing animals can transmit germs.”

PREVENTION MEASURES:
Wash your hands
 Find where the handwashing stations are located.
 Wash your hands after touching animals or anything in the livestock barns.
 Wash your hands when you leave the animal areas, even if you did not touch any livestock or if
you wore gloves.
 20 seconds using running water and soap is best, but if not available use an alcohol-based hand
sanitizer.
Keep food and animals separate
 Keep human food and drinks away from the animal areas.
 Do not share your food with the animals.
Keep children safe
 Always supervise children around animals.
 Leave strollers, pacifiers, cups and toys outside of the exhibit.
 Do NOT let children place their mouths on animals or put their fingers in their mouths when they
are around animals.
 Always wash your child’s hands thoroughly with soap and water right after touching, feeding, or
caring for the animals.
 Do NOT let children sit or play on the ground in animal areas.
For more information on E. coli and how to stay healthy visit, the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention webpages:
E. coli: https://www.cdc.gov/ecoli/index.html
Stay Healthy at Animal Exhibits: https://www.cdc.gov/healthypets/specific-groups/stay-healthy-animalexhibits.
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