Remember hand hygiene at petting zoos

The Health Protection Agency has reminded people - especially those with responsibility for young children – of the important of ensuring good hand hygiene after touching farm animals or their surroundings during farm visits.

Outbreaks of gastrointestinal illness associated with contact with farm animals peak in the spring and summer as this coincides with schools holidays when visits to petting farms tend to be more popular, although outbreaks can occur at other times. Transmission in these illnesses is direct contact with animals in petting and feeding areas.

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