--- title: Petting zoos are a health risk date: 2006-05-26T09:33:42-07:00 author: Bill Marler canonical_url: "https://marlerclark.com/news_events/petting-zoos-are-a-health-risk" section: News --- [All News](/news_events) / [Outbreaks](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/outbreaks) / # Petting zoos are a health risk ![](http://www.ecoliblog.com/peta_logo.jpg) Jennifer O’Connor of the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) in Norfolk, Virginia, wrote to the Arizona Daily Star regarding a recent article about petting zoos. In her letter, she says that she feels the “article did readers a disservice by not warning them about the very real health hazards of petting zoos.” She goes on to say that “Petting zoos are hotbeds of [E. coli ](http://www.about-ecoli.com/)bacteria, and numerous children have been infected with this potentially deadly illness after visiting such displays. Some have died. Infections can spread through direct animal contact or simply by touching the surroundings near an animal exhibit. Petting zoos have nearly disappeared in Florida after 26 people were confirmed stricken with E. coli, including 23 children, after visiting petting zoos at local fairs. The last thing any parent wants is their child getting sick; avoiding petting zoos is one simple way parents can ensure their kids’ health and well-being.” ### Other E. coli Lawsuits [Raw Farms linked to another Raw Milk Cheese E.coli Outbreak - 9 People sickened - Company refuses to recall product](https://marlerclark.com/raw-farms-linked-to-another-raw-milk-cheese-e-coli-outbreak-7-people-sickened) [10 with E. coli linked to Cheese](https://marlerclark.com/3-with-e-coli-linked-to-cheese) [Sycamore Pool in Chico California Contaminated with E.coli - Two teens in ICU](https://marlerclark.com/sycamore-pool-in-chico-california-contaminated-with-e-coli-two-teens-in-icu) [Deadly Nationwide E.coli Outbreak Linked to Grimmway Farms Organic Baby and Whole Carrots sickens 48](https://marlerclark.com/nationwide-e-coli-outbreak-linked-to-grimmway-farms-organic-baby-and-whole-carrots) [E. coli Outbreak tied to Red Cow and Hen House 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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) ##### Related Resources ###### [E. coli Food Poisoning](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/e-coli/e-coli-food-poisoning) What is E. coli and how does it cause food poisoning? Escherichia coli (E. coli) is a highly studied, common species of bacteria that belongs to the family Enterobacteriaceae, so... ###### [E. coli O157:H7](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/e-coli/e-coli-o157h7) E. coli O157:H7 is a foodborne pathogen that causes food poisoning. E. coli O157:H7 is the most commonly identified and the most notorious Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) serotype in... ###### [Non-O157 STEC](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/e-coli/non-o157-stec) Non-O157 Shiga Toxin-Producing E. coli can also cause food poisoning. 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