Do your plans this week include visits to the Teton County Fair? The Teton County Department of Health and the Teton County Fair Board urge those spending any time in the animal areas to faithfully wash their hands.
The fair board admonishes; adults should supervise children, assuring children’s mouths don’t make contact with an animal or animal enclosures. Do not allow children who may have touched an animal to stick their fingers in their mouths or eat any food before their hands have been thoroughly washed. Keep food and drinks out of animal areas. Do not share your food with animals.
In a recent release from the Wyoming Department of Health, WDH epidemiologist Courtney Smith pointed out such diseases such as salmonella, E. coli, campylobacter and others can be picked up from contact with animals. Symptoms from these illnesses typically include stomach cramps, diarrhea, vomiting and nausea.
Serious illnesses requiring hospitalization sometimes occur; children and pregnant women are especially vulnerable. Quoting Smith, “Every year we receive reports of diseases linked to animal-focused events.”
The local fair board points out that all of the restrooms have soap and hot water, and handwashing stations are available throughout the fairgrounds.
