Information for Animal Venue Operators

In recent years, intestinal disease associated with venues where the public has contact with farm animals (e.g., petting zoos, state or county fairs, educational farms) has been identified with increasing frequency. Minnesota is no exception to this trend.

National prevention recommendations

Specific national prevention recommendations have been developed for specific species or settings.

• The National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians has developed an extensive set of recommendations for the prevention of disease associated with animals in public settings; these recommendations are updated annually.
  • Compendium of Measures To Prevent Disease Associated with Animals in Public Settings, 2017 (PDF)
    Comprehensive information about preventing animal contact illness. CDC; National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians, Inc. (NASPHV) 

Recommendations for specific species

Reptiles:

• We recommend that reptiles not be displayed in petting zoos.
  • At fairs and petting zoos children under 5 years of age should not be permitted to enter the pen with the animals.
• Specific recommendations for the prevention of reptile-associated salmonellosis have been developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
  • Reptile-Associated Salmonellosis - Selected States, 1998-2002
    CDC; MMWR: December 12, 2003
     

Chicks, ducklings, and other young fowl:

• We recommend that chicks, ducklings, and other young fowl not be displayed in petting zoos.
  • At fairs and petting zoos children under 5 years of age should not be permitted to enter the pen with the animals.
• Specific recommendations for the prevention of salmonellosis associated with chicks and ducklings have been developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
  • Salmonellosis Associated with Chicks and Ducklings - Michigan and Missouri, Spring 1999
    CDC; MMWR: April 14, 2000

Calves:

• We recommend that calves not be displayed in petting zoos.
  • At fairs and petting zoos children under 5 years of age should not be permitted to enter the pen with the animals.
• As demonstrated by the outbreaks associated with educational programs in Minnesota, it is extremely difficult to prevent infections in children who have close, prolonged contact with young calves. 
• A detailed and comprehensive prevention plan should be created before such a program is undertaken.

Resources

• Preventing Illness Associated with Animal Contact Print Materials 
  Downloadable printable posters and information on ordering printed materials for your animal venue.

Consultation

The MDH Foodborne, Vectorborne, and Zoonotic Diseases Unit is happy to consult on prevention plans for educational programs; we can be reached at 651-201-5414 or 1-877-676-5414.