Legal Implications of Zoonotic-Disease Outbreaks at Petting Zoos and Animal Exhibits

E. coli O157:H7 outbreaks associated with attendance at fairs and petting zoos garnered significant media attention in recent years after outbreaks were traced to fairs in Oregon, North Carolina, Texas, and Florida. In this article written by attorney Dave Babcock for the November, 2006 issue of the Journal of Environmental Health, he addresses questions regarding responsible parties when an E. coli O157:H7 or other zoonotic disease outbreak is associated with a petting zoo, animal exhibit, or fair.