Petting Zoos + Kids = not good...

[maxama10]

I recently heard about 7 cases of liver failure due to e-coli. They managed to trace it back to several petting zoo's in Florida where the kids had been. The animals were carrying the bacteria and obviously when the kids touched the animals the bacteria spread to them which caused them to have liver failiure and die....pretty horrible
anyways stay away from petting zoos

Edit:kidney not liver sorry

[Python14]

If we stop going to petting zoos, how will the Goats and ducks pay the bills and feed their kids?

[StuDawggie]

I recently heard about 7 cases of liver failure due to e-coli. They managed to trace it back to several petting zoo's in Florida where the kids had been. The animals were carrying the bacteria and obviously when the kids touched the animals the bacteria spread to them which caused them to have liver failiure and die....pretty horrible
anyways stay away from petting zoos

Working in a hospital, I'm willing to bet that of the 7 kids that caught the bacteria, not one of them washed their hands, or used an antibacterial rub before touching some form of food before eatting it, thus letting the e-coli bacteria into their systems. Do I feel bad that this happened? Yes. Do I think that you need to stay away from petting zoos dueto an e-coli risk? Only if you don't wash your hands.
Also where were the chaperones on this trip to make sure these kids cleaned up before eatting? It's not the animals' or zoo's fault this happened, it falls on the chaperones, and teachers who were with the kids.

[tony3]

It's not the zoos fault they had animals with a disease that could kill someone? Sorry, I think the zoo should be help responsible.

[personman]

Last time I checked the zoo doesnt have control over what strain of ecoli is living on an animal..

[MantisMag]

taken from webmd: (i already knew this but wanted to quote it)
" Escherichia coli (also called E. coli) is a bacterium that can cause serious infections. Most of the hundreds of types, or strains, of E. coli live harmlessly in the digestive tracts of humans and animals. [...] Disease-causing E. coli spreads to people through contact with human or animal feces. The bacteria usually are spread through contaminated food or water or through person-to-person contact. Food and water contaminated with E. coli bacteria look and smell normal."

the lesson here is not to touch things that have been in contact with fecal matter and then eat or stick your hands in your mouth without washing first.

[kenndogg]

personally if the zoo had warnings about washing your hands after touching the animals than I don't think the zoo is not at fault. Remember these are animals and will always be suspectable to carrying germs and diseases.

[RevBrown]

Shoud be common knowledge to wash your hands after handling any strange animal.
Especially the barn yard variety that is common in petting zoos.

I agree with the one above that said blaim the chaperones.

[MicroMiniMe]

Um, yep.

[maxama10]

well id say its a bit of everyones fault involved...
anyways i know im goiing to start washing my hands before school lunch from now on..although middle school is lame and we have to walk with a teacher to lunch and my teacher takes us to the bathrooms after lunch but shes got germ x in her room so that should work