Animal feces are a significant source of e. coli poisoning. In fact, every year there are outbreaks of e. coli O157:H7, the most common form of Shiga toxin producing e. coli, otherwise known as STEC. STEC can be life threatening, including causing hemolytic uremic syndrome in children, which caused the kidneys to clog and fail. Children often need dialysis and then, in many cases, kidney transplants. Other pathogens, such as salmonella, are also commonly spread through contact with animals. Every year, says e. coli attorney Tony Coveny, Ph.D., “there are outbreaks in which outdoor animals, whether from a farm or a petting zoo, sicken children.” At present, there are ongoing outbreaks linked to back-yard poultry and turtles, and most recently (see below) at animal exhibits at County fairs. Why? Because animals are conduits for these pathogens and are contaminated with feces. As with most food- borne pathogens, such as salmonella, the oral fecal route is the primary method of spreading the disease.
Animals do not wash their hands, and even when parents are vigilant, kids often touch their clothing, or the fences, or pick something up off the ground, and there it is, feces contamination. In one recent outbreak of e. coli, says Coveny, in San Diego, “a child died after acquiring e. coli. And while impossible to know for certain, one theory of how the bacteria sickened both parents and the child was that the child stroller was likely picked up and put into the car after having been pushed through the animal petting station of the county fair. In short, the vigilant parents might have even worked hard to prevent the child from even touching the animals and still ended up bringing the deadly pathogen home with them.
Is there a solution? The obvious answer is to encourage good hand-washing practices and not to touch food or face while in these environments. But to be certain, the carriers need to be eliminated. That means each animal at a petting zoo or county fail, or all small animals sold to families, should be screened. While time consuming, the cost is not great, especially given the benefits of doing so.
RECENT OUTBREAK: in Tennessee, a recent field trip has ended with numerous children having acquired e. coli poisoning. According to authorities, one youngster, River Hefflin, is still in the hospital at East Tennessee Children’s Hospital in Knoxville, being treated for HUS. Her brother Elijah is also sick. Another child remans hospitalized as well, though his condition has not yet been updated. These children attended the Appalachian Fairgrounds in Gray, Tennessee, on September 26.
Please join with us in sending prayers and thoughts to the families, and asking for speedy recoveries!
