Best practices for planning events encouraging human-animal interactions

Zoonoses Public Health. 2015 Mar;62(2):90-9. doi: 10.1111/zph.12117. Epub 2014 Apr 3.

Abstract

Educational events encouraging human-animal interaction include the risk of zoonotic disease transmission. It is estimated that 14% of all disease in the USA caused by Campylobacter spp., Cryptosporidium spp., Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) O157, non-O157 STECs, Listeria monocytogenes, non-typhoidal Salmonella enterica and Yersinia enterocolitica were attributable to animal contact. This article reviews best practices for organizing events where human-animal interactions are encouraged, with the objective of lowering the risk of zoonotic disease transmission.

Keywords: Petting zoo; best practices; lowering; prevention; recommendations; risk; zoonotic disease.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bacterial Infections / prevention & control
  • Bacterial Infections / transmission
  • Bacterial Infections / veterinary*
  • Communicable Disease Control / methods*
  • Hand Disinfection
  • Humans
  • Risk Factors
  • Zoonoses / prevention & control*