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By Melinda IzzoFranchiseOwner, Chester County, PA

With warmer weather approaching, many parents prepare theirchildren not only for fun, but also for safety. We caution our children aboutwearing bicycle helmets, applying sunscreen, not talking to strangers, andstaying together. One thing we tend to overlook is teaching our children aboutsafety from germs and bacteria. Its bacteria like E.coli that has recentlycaused great concern among parents of young children.

Associated years ago with the consumption of undercooked meatand unpasteurized milk and juices, outbreaks of E.coli have been linked topetting zoos in Pennsylvania as well as in Washington, Wisconsin, Canada and inthe United Kingdom.

The bacterium, E.coli 0157:H7 can cause a severe complicationcalled hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). Symptoms are usually manifested within24-72 hours and can include fever, abdominal cramping, bloody diarrhea, andoccasionally vomiting. t is crucial to contact your health care professionalimmediately if these symptoms occur after a visit to a petting zoo. Leftuntreated, E.coli can result in renal failure. Infection is diagnosed by a labtest that can detect the bacterium in the stool. There is no specific treatment,and certain antibiotics and antidiarrheal agents such as Imodium may actuallymake the illness worse.

Hundreds of strains of E.coli live harmlessly in theintestines of humans and other mammals, particularly cows, sheep and deer.Transmission of E.coli occurs when children put their hands in their mouthsafter handling animals that may have infected fecal matter on their coats.Knowing which animals are infected is impossible. However, with supervision,education and vigilance contamination can be avoided.

Phenelle Segal, a registered nurse, having specialized inpublic health and particularly in the field of the spread of communicablediseases for 17 years, has the following advice and precautions for parents:

1. Never allow a child to take their sippy cup or snack into a petting area with the animals.

2. Kisses should be reserved for mommy and daddy---not the lambs and goats

3. Immediately after handling the animals, children should wash their hands.

4. If hand washing facilities are not available, have your child use an antibacterial gel or wipe containing at least 62% alcohol. Apply the gel generously and rub it into their hands until completely dry.

5. Do not let your child eat or drink anything until thorough hand washing has occurred.

Additionally, if your childs preschool or daycare is planning a trip to a petting zoo, talk to your childs teacher. Suggest that parents receive a memo outlining the above precautions and requesting that they provide their child with antibacterial gel or wipes. Suggest that one or two parents volunteer to be responsible for applying hand gel to each child.

Adult supervision is critical to ensuring that transmission does not occur.

Some may feel that the best way to avoid E.coli would be torestrict their childs attendance to any petting zoos or farms. However, to doso would deprive children of the interest, fun and education that they derivefrom visiting farms and zoos. Those petting zoos that have installedhand-washing facilities both at the site where the petting occurs and also inany eating areas, have had no further reported cases of E.coli.

This summer take opportunities to enrich your childs lifewith the many exciting opportunities offered in your community whether they areparks, museums, or petting zoos. Add many memories to your scrapbook, have fun,be safe and wash your hands!