--- title: Serious Human Illness Linked to Some Animal Exhibits date: 2005-04-14T13:22:13-07:00 author: Bill Marler canonical_url: "https://marlerclark.com/news_events/serious-human-illness-linked-to-some-animal-exhibits" section: News --- [All News](/news_events) / [Outbreaks](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/outbreaks) / # Serious Human Illness Linked to Some Animal Exhibits ![North Carolina state fair ecoli](http://www.ecoliblog.com/pettingzoo2.jpg)As families begin flocking to petting zoos, fairs, and other animal venues this spring, a few people are coming down with serious illnesses. Some of the latest incidents occurred in Florida, where 60 people in 18 counties have confirmed or suspected cases of E. coli-related illness. The sources for the illnesses were [petting zoos in three central Florida counties](http://www.fair-safety.com/fair-outbreaks/view/florida-state-fair-central-florida-fair-florida-strawberry-festival/). Many venues where people come in contact with animals can pose a risk, says the CDC, including county and state fairs, petting zoos, circuses, carnivals, zoos, farm tours, pet stores, animal swap meets, livestock-birthing exhibits, wildlife exhibits, and schools. Diseases other than those caused by certain types of E. coli may also pose a threat, including rabies, tuberculosis, salmonella, ringworm, cryptosporidiosis, and monkeypox. In addition, physical injuries such as bites, scratches, stepped-on feet, or broken bones are of concern. Affected animals often show no obvious signs of illness, and testing or antibiotic treatment of animals is of limited value, which makes it nearly impossible for visitors to see if an animal they are playing with is infected. A list of about two dozen documented incidents in the past decade or so (in IL, MN, OH, NC, NY, OH, OR, PA, TX, WA, WI, the Canadian provinces of British Columbia and Ontario, and a few overseas locations) has been assembled by Seattle law firm Marler Clark. Some of these incidents, which affected a total of more than 1,000 people, are highlighted in a CDC report. Remedies that can sharply reduce problems are relatively simple, the CDC explains, including: • hand washing after touching or visiting animals; • designing, maintaining, and operating animal exhibits carefully to minimize exposures, including full separation of animal areas from any area where people eat or come in contact with human food; • educating operators, staff, exhibitors, and visitors about risks and appropriate protective measures; • paying strict attention to those at most risk, including children, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems; and • properly cleaning animal areas, especially since harmful microbes have been proven to linger afterward for months. ### 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 Restaurants](https://marlerclark.com/e-coli-outbreak-tied-to-red-cow-and-hen-house-restaurants) [Rockwood Summit High School E. coli Outbreak](https://marlerclark.com/rockwood-summit-high-school-e-coli-outbreak) [McDonalds linked to 104 E. coli cases and 1 Death](https://marlerclark.com/mcdonalds-linked-to-nearly-50-e-coli-cases-and-1-death) [2 dead with 22 injured in E. coli Hamburger Outbreak in 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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. E. coli O157:H7 may be the most notorious serotype of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC), but there are at least... ###### [Sources of E. coli](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/e-coli/sources-of-e-coli) Where do E. coli O157:H7 and non-O157 Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) come from? The primary reservoirs, or ultimate sources, of E. coli O157:H7 and non-O157 STEC in nature are... ###### [Transmission of and Infection with E. coli](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/e-coli/transmission-of-and-infection-with-e-coli) While many dairy cattle-associated foodborne disease outbreaks are linked to raw milk and other raw dairy products (e.g., cheeses, butter, ice cream), dairy cattle still represent a source of contamination... ##### 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. 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