Research shows a reliance on hand gels instead of handwashing is a risk factor associated with outbreaks at petting farms.
The Health Protection Agency (HPA) is reminding visitors to open farm not to rely on sanitising hand gels or wipes to protect themselves or their children against germs that may be present in animal dirt around the farm.
Although the risk of becoming unwell is very low in light of the millions of farm visits every year there are, on average, around three outbreaks of gastrointestinal disease which are linked to visits to petting farms. The route of infection in these outbreaks is generally through contact with germs from animal droppings. These germs can be ingested when people, especially children, put their fingers in their mouths.
To reduce the risk of illness, both adults and children should thoroughly wash their hands using soap and water after they have handled animals or touched surfaces at the farm and always before eating or drinking. Hand gels can’t remove contamination in the manner that soap and water can.
Research published by the HPA of a review of 55 outbreaks of intestinal disease linked to petting farms between 1992 and 2009 showed that one of the risk factors associated with illness was the reliance on hand gels instead of handwashing. Over the 17 year period of the study, 1,328 people were reported to have fallen ill following a farm visit, of whom 113 were hospitalised. Illness ranged from mild through to severe diarrhoea and occasionally more serious conditions.
Research Paper PDF here
Source: Health Protection Agency
