--- title: Marler Calls on Petting Zoos and Fairs to Clean up Their Acts date: 2011-11-11T17:37:00-08:00 author: admin canonical_url: "https://marlerclark.com/news_events/ecoli-expert-attorney-petting-zoos-fairs" section: News --- [All News](/news_events) / [Outbreaks](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/outbreaks) / # Marler Calls on Petting Zoos and Fairs to Clean up Their Acts In the same week that a two-year-old Charlotte-area boy has finally been released from the hospital after a life-threatening E. coli O157:H7 infection, North Carolina health officials are linking the outbreak that sickened him to visiting an animal barn at this year’s North Carolina State Fair. According to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, after a nearly month-long investigation, officials have determined that a building holding pigs, goats, and sheep at the state fair is most likely the source of an [E. coli O157:H7 outbreak that sickened at least 27](http://www.marlerclark.com/2011nc-fair-ecoli-outbreak/ "E. coli O157:H7 outbreak that sickened at least 27"). Many visitors, including children, passed through the building looking at and petting the animals. This is the third time in seven years that the North Carolina State Fair has been linked to an E. coli outbreak. In [2004](http://www.marlerclark.com/case_news/view/crossroads-farm-petting-zoo-e-coli-outbreak-north-carolina "2004"), a petting zoo operating at the fair was determined to be the source of an E. coli O157:H7 outbreak that sickened as many as 108 people. In [2006](http://outbreakdatabase.com/details/north-carolina-fair-or-temporary-mobile-service-unknown-2006/?organism=E.+coli+O157%3AH7&year=2006&state=16 "2006"), five people became ill after eating at the fair. Now, [E. coli attorney and safety advocate William Marler](http://www.marlerclark.com/lawyers/view/william-marler "E. coli attorney and safety advocate William Marler") is calling on those in the animal exhibition industry nationwide to finally heed warnings and follow long-standing guidelines on animal-human interaction safety. “The 2004 E. coli outbreak was roughly the twenty-fifth outbreak from animal-human contact and there hasn’t been any sign of a slow-down since,” said Marler, who sponsors a website devoted to [fair safety](http://www.fair-safety.com/ "fair safety"). “This isn’t a new issue, and there are plenty of resources out there to prevent these types of things; there is simply no reason this should still be happening.” The National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians produces a set of guidelines aimed at reducing risks and improving safety at petting zoos and animal exhibits. Some of the major recommendations include: • Wash hands after contact with animals to reduce the risk of zoonotic disease transmission. • Do not allow food, drink, or pacifiers in animal areas. • Include transition areas between animal areas and non-animal areas. • Educate visitors about disease risk and prevention procedures. • Properly care for and manage animals. Attorneys at Marler Clark, and the 11 families they represent, are currently waiting on a ruling from the trial of their claims conducted in Durham, N.C. this last summer on claims against the State of North Carolina arising out of the 2004 outbreak. MARLER CLARK is the nation’s leading law firm dedicated to representing victims of harmful pathogens such as E. coli, Salmonella, or Listeria. The firm’s [E. coli Lawyers](http://www.marlerclark.com/lawyers "E. coli Lawyers") have since 1993 recovered over $600 million dollars for clients. For more information, or to speak with an attorney, contact Cody Moore at cmoore@marlerclark.com or 206-407-2200. ### Lawsuit updates about foodborne illnesses [Reactive Arthritis Lawsuit Updates](/news_events/case-news?illness=reactive-arthritis&year=all) [E. coli Lawsuit Updates](/news_events/case-news?illness=e-coli&year=all) [Guillain-Barre Syndrome Lawsuit Updates](/news_events/case-news?illness=guillain-barre-syndrome&year=all) [Salmonella Lawsuit Updates](/news_events/case-news?illness=salmonella&year=all) [Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome Lawsuit Updates](/news_events/case-news?illness=hemolytic-uremic-syndrome&year=all) [Listeria Lawsuit Updates](/news_events/case-news?illness=listeria&year=all) [Irritable Bowel Syndrome Lawsuit Updates](/news_events/case-news?illness=irritable-bowel-syndrome&year=all) [Hepatitis A Lawsuit Updates](/news_events/case-news?illness=hepatitis-a&year=all) [Norovirus Lawsuit Updates](/news_events/case-news?illness=norovirus&year=all) [Botulism Lawsuit Updates](/news_events/case-news?illness=botulism&year=all) [Campylobacter Lawsuit Updates](/news_events/case-news?illness=campylobacter&year=all) [Shigella Lawsuit Updates](/news_events/case-news?illness=shigella&year=all) [Cyclospora Lawsuit Updates](/news_events/case-news?illness=cyclospora&year=all) ### Lawsuits updates by year [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 1998](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=1998) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 1999](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=1999) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2000](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2000) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2001](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2001) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2002](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2002) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2003](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2003) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2004](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2004) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2005](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2005) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2006](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2006) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2007](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2007) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2008](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2008) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2009](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2009) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2010](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2010) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2011](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2011) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2012](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2012) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2013](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2013) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2014](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2014) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2015](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2015) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2016](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2016) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2017](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2017) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2018](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2018) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2019](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2019) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2020](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2020) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2021](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2021) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2022](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2022) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2023](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2023) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2024](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2024) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2025](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2025) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2026](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2026) ##### Get Help #### Affected by an outbreak or recall? The team at Marler Clark is here to answer all your questions. Find out if you’re eligible for a lawsuit, what questions to ask your doctor, and more. [ Get a free consultation ](https://marlerclark.com/contact) ##### Outbreak Database #### Looking for a comprehensive list of outbreaks? The team at Marler Clark is here to answer all your questions. Find out if you’re eligible for a lawsuit, what questions to ask your doctor, and more. [ View Outbreak Database ](https://outbreakdatabase.com)