Your little one loves animals, right? We also feel great joy when we see a child looking at an animal like a goat, a sheep, or a rabbit with great interest. Places where you can get up close and personal with such animals, that is, 'Petting Zoos' or small zoos, have become increasingly popular in Sri Lanka. However, amidst all this joy, I thought today I would talk about a hidden danger that we don't even think about. Don't be afraid, this is not to scare you, but to educate you.
What is E. coli? Why should we care?
Simply put, E. coli is a type of bacteria. Some strains of this are harmless to our bodies. However, there are some dangerous strains like `E. coli 0157:H7`. These can cause serious illnesses if they enter our bodies.
This bacteria mainly lives in the intestines of animals like cows, goats, and sheep. The important thing is that the animal that has this bacteria in its body can stay healthy without any disease. That is, you can't tell if the animal is sick or not just by looking at it.
This bacteria comes out with animal feces. After that, this bacteria can be found anywhere, such as places where this feces has been touched, animal fur, animal enclosure fences, and the ground. If our child touches such a place, the bacteria will be transferred to that hand.
The most important thing is that this bacteria does not enter the body through the skin. This means that you will not get sick just by touching an animal. However, if you touch your mouth, nose, or eyes with a hand that has been contaminated with the bacteria, or if you eat food with that hand, the chances of getting the bacteria into your body are much higher. The risk is higher in young children because they often put their hands in their mouths.
What are the symptoms? How do we recognize them?
If your child develops these symptoms a few days after visiting a zoo, be sure to be concerned.
| Symptom category | Features shown |
|---|---|
| Common E. coli infection |
|
| Dangerous complication (HUS) | Some children (especially young children) infected with E. coli can develop a serious condition called Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS) . This is when:
|
What to do if the child gets sick?
If your child has any of the above symptoms, especially bloody diarrhea , within a week of visiting a zoo , see a doctor without delay. Tell the doctor that your child has been to a zoo. This will help a lot in diagnosing the disease. If the symptoms are severe, be sure to take your child to the Emergency Department (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
What should we do to protect the child?
Okay, now we know what the risks are. So let's see how to avoid them and give your child that wonderful experience with animals safely. These are very simple, easy things.
| Safety measures | Exactly what to do |
|---|---|
| 1. Hand washing - the most important thing! | After handling animals, or after coming out of the animal enclosure, immediately wash your hands with soap and running water for at least 20 seconds. Clean under your fingernails and between your fingers. If handwashing facilities are not available, at least keep a hand sanitizer nearby. But remember, soap and water are best. |
| 2. Avoiding putting hands in mouth | Teach your child not to touch their mouth, nose, or eyes when they are around animals. If they are young, keep your eyes on them at all times. If possible, hold younger children. Be especially careful if they have a habit of biting their nails or sucking their thumbs. |
| 3. Separation of food, drink and animals | Never eat or drink inside the animal's enclosure. Never approach the animals with an ice cream or biscuit in your hand. If your child's pacifier or toy falls to the floor, do not let them put it in their mouth without cleaning it again. |
| 4. Taking care of clothes | Sometimes, when a child leans against the fence of the enclosure, mud gets on their jacket or shoes, and the germs from that can come home. The best thing to do is to change the child's clothes after coming from there and wash them thoroughly with soap and hot water. |
| 5. Stay away from animal feces | This is a no-brainer, but it's worth mentioning. Teach your child to avoid areas where animal feces are present. E. coli, as well as other dangerous germs like `Salmonella` and `Cryptosporidia`, can survive in these feces for a while. |
So wouldn't it be better to take them to see the animals?
Please don't think so. None of this is to say that children should be kept away from animals. When a child spends time with an animal, that child's stress levels decrease, their self-confidence increases, and they learn to relate to other living things. These days, for many children, the only place they get to see an animal up close, other than a dog or a cat, may be a petting zoo like this.
Therefore, the most important thing is not to lock children at home out of fear, but to be aware, follow safety measures, and give the child that beautiful experience.
If you follow these safety measures, you can allow your child to enjoy animals without any fear or doubt.
Take-Home Message
- Petting zoos and animal parks can pose a risk from bacteria such as E. coli.
- Even if animals don't look sick, they can carry harmful bacteria.
- Never leave children, especially young children, alone around animals. Always supervise.
- The most important and simplest safety measure is to wash your hands thoroughly with soap.
- Avoid eating, drinking, and using pacifiers in areas where animals are present.
- If your child develops severe stomach cramps, vomiting, or bloody diarrhea within a few days of visiting a zoo, seek medical advice immediately.
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