Dodge County Fairgrounds - Beaver Dam, WI

For a healthy experience, the importance of proper hand washing at this year's county fair can't be overstated, says Pattie Carroll, University of Wisconsin-Extension, Dodge County. Although one-on-one contact with farm animals serves as a rewarding and educational experience, precautions should be taken to reduce health risks such as E. coli O157:H7 that are sometimes associated with direct animal contact. "Children love to touch animals, but they often don't wash their hands properly afterwards. Rather than discourage families from enjoying traditional activities such as visits to fairs and petting zoos, we want them to be safe," Carroll says. Based on recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), visitors to county fairs should take simple steps such as washing their hands after touching animals or spending time in areas where animals are housed or exhibited. The following recommendations will help to minimize potentia...