Guidelines

• Food Service Supervisor’s Code
• Basic causes of food poisoning
• Personal hygiene
• Food preparation
• Handling Eating Utensils
• Refrigeration
• Food display and service
• Proper storage
• Dishwashing
• Care of equipment
• Garbage disposal
• Water supply and washrooms
• Lighting and ventilation
• Housekeeping and Maintenance
• Insect control
• Rodent control
• Related Files:
  • E. Coli O157:H7
  • Home Canning
  • Visits to Farms and Petting Zoos
• Public Health and Medical Services

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Farm Visits... Even Petting Zoos

Among today's popular activities for young children are visits to farms. Petting zoos too are popular at summer and fall fairs. Children enjoy these exciting events, however, it is extremely important that parents/caregivers/teachers are aware of associated health risks. Health officials have linked E.coli 0157:H7 infection to both events. E.coli infection can be prevented by practicing a few simple principles.

E.coli bacteria live in the intestines of everyone. Normally they are beneficial. There are hundreds of strains of E.coli bacteria. Very few cause diseases in humans. E.coli 0157:H7 is one of the disease causing strains. Illness can occur in individuals of any age. Those with greatest risk include the very young (children under 5 years of age).

Most illnesses have been associated with eating undercooked, contaminated ground beef and person to person contact. Person to animal contact has recently been identified as an important mode of transmission. Infection can also occur after drinking unpasteurized milk, apple juice or cider, and eating unwashed fruits and vegetables.

Only a few E.coli 0157 bacteria are needed to cause illness. Symptoms of E.coli 0157:H7 infection usually occur three to five days after exposure. The most common symptom is bloody diarrhea, which can develop into more severe diseases such as hemorrhagic colitis, hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), or thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP). Less than 10% of the cases with bloody diarrhea develop HUS. Renal failure is the most significant symptom (HUS). About half of these patients require dialysis; and 3-5 % of these cases are fatal.

See our web page for a better illustration of symptoms and progression of disease.

Prevention

Parents, teachers and caregivers should be aware of the associated risks.

• After touching/petting animals wash hands thoroughly with soap and water.
• Avoid unpasteurized dairy products and unpasteurized milk.
• Avoid unpasteurized apple juice or cider.
• Wash all fruits and vegetables before eating.
• Wash your hands thoroughly with soap before and after handling foods.
• Wash your hands thoroughly with soap after using the toilet.