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Abstract #153168

Hillary B. Foulkes, MPH, Sharon Hurd, MPH, Paula Clogher, MPH, James Meek, MPH, and Ruthanne Marcus, MPH. Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, 1 Church St, 7th floor, New Haven, CT 06510, 203-777-6413, hillary.foulkes@dshs.state.tx.us

Background: Farm animals may be healthy reservoirs for human enteric pathogens and are often exhibited at agricultural fairs where the public can have contact with them, increasing the likelihood of pathogen transmission. In 2005, the National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians (NASPHV) published recommendations to inform visitors and owners of measures to prevent zoonotic disease transmission at petting zoos, fairs, and animal exhibits. Methods: During September 2006, we conducted an observational study at a convenience sample of 10 Connecticut agricultural fairs to determine adherence to the NASPHV recommendations. We developed a checklist which included the structural characteristics of the animal areas, the presence of signs and warnings about enteric disease transmission, and the structure, location, and frequency of use of handwashing facilities. Results: Of the 50 animal areas visited at the 10 fairs, 80% had restriction signs, 28% had risk information signs, and 7% had information regarding enteric pathogens. Many restricted items (food/drink, strollers, sippy cups, pacifiers) were observed to be present inside the animal areas. Sixty percent of the animal areas had handwashing facilities; 52% had handwashing instruction signs. An average of 483 people visited the animal areas per hour; but only 28 people used the handwashing facilities hourly. Conclusion: Few visitors wash their hands after visiting an animal area despite the presence of handwashing signs and facilities. Also, many visitors disregard restriction signs. Providing information about risk and posting larger signs in easily observable locations may help to increase awareness about enteric pathogens and encourage handwashing.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify the risk factors for enteric pathogen transmission at agricultural fairs.
• Describe visitor's adherence to NASPHV guidelines.
• Discuss possible interventions to reduce the risk of illness

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No
Any institutionally-contracted trials related to this submission?

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.