Petting Zoos: Legislation Needed to Protect Young Visitors

“Petting zoos are well known E. coli hot zones and should have strong E. coli control measures in place,” said foodborne illness lawyer Fred Pritzker. “This outbreak highlights the need to pass legislation mandating these safeguards in New Jersey.”

(PRWEB) August 15, 2006 -- Escherichia coli (E. coli) O157:H7 causes approximately 73,000 illnesses in the United States annually, leading to an estimated 2,168 hospitalizations and 61 deaths. Children under 5 are at particular risk of becoming seriously ill from an E. coli O157:H7 infection, which can lead to severe dehydration, intestinal hemorrhaging, and hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). In the United States, HUS is the leading cause of kidney failure in children. Approximately 3%--5% of HUS patients die each year.

The primary route of transmission for E. coli O157:H7 is foodborne; however, transmission from animal contact does occur in about 3% of the cases each year. Two outbreaks of E. coli O157:H7 infections in 2000 were the first reported in the United States to be associated with direct transmission of E. coli O157 from farm animals to humans. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the factors that led to infection in these outbreaks were direct animal contact and inadequate hand washing.

Since 2000, there have been several E. coli outbreaks associated with animal contact at farms, fairs, and petting zoos. Risk factors for young victims of the outbreaks have included feeding animals, petting animals, caring for an ill calf, getting visible manure on their hands or feet, handling sawdust, eating and drinking in a building where animals were exhibited and breathing in airborne dust. Hand washing and the use of hand sanitizers have helped prevent some transmission of E. coli from animal to child, but hundreds of children have still become ill.

Health officials in New Jersey are currently investigating an outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 infections that may be associated with Palisades Country Day Camp & School in Closter, New Jersey, a day camp and school for children ages 3 to 6. Eight people have confirmed E. coli infections. Palisades Country Day Camp & School has a petting zoo. Although the petting zoo has not been pinpointed as the source of the outbreak, the animals and the animal environment will be thoroughly tested.

New Jersey has guidelines for petting zoos, but there are no laws specifically addressing sanitation at petting zoos. Senate bill S-943 (Singer) would establish sanitation requirements for human contact with animals at petting zoos and animal or agricultural fairs, shows, and exhibitions. The statement introducing the bill reads, “This bill is a public health measure that is necessary to protect both humans and animals from contracting or transmitting serious diseases or infections at petting zoos or animal or agricultural fairs, shows, or exhibitions.” The bill was introduced in January. This current outbreak may expedite the process of enacting this needed legislation into law.

“Petting zoos are well known E. coli hot zones and should have strong E. coli control measures in place,” said foodborne illness lawyer Fred Pritzker. “This outbreak highlights the need to pass legislation mandating these safeguards in New Jersey.” According to Pritzker, regulations should focus on protecting children. “E. coli is easily transmitted to young children at petting zoos and, worse still, E. coli infections are especially deadly in children,” said Pritzker. “Regulations need to protect these children by limiting access and requiring close supervision.”

Attorney Fred Pritzker is president Pritzker | Ruohonen & Associates, P.A. The law firm represents foodborne illness victims throughout the United States and is one of the few that practices extensively in the area of food poisoning litigation. Pritzker | Ruohonen successfully represented several Minnesota E. coli victims in the 2000 outbreak involving hamburger purchased at Cub Food Stores and is lead counsel for victims of the 2002 Northeast United States Listeriosis outbreak that killed 12 people and injured more than 50 others. The firm has collected millions of dollars on behalf of victims of foodborne illness and defective products. The firm's offices are in Minneapolis, Minnesota. For more information, please see http://www.pritzkerlaw.com.

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