Posted on 03/23/2005 5:26:01 AM PST by Sax
State Probes Kidney Failure In Children After Petting Zoos
POSTED: 5:51 am EST March 23, 2005 UPDATED: 6:10 am EST March 23, 2005
ORLANDO, Fla. -- Five children in critical condition with kidney failure may have picked up a rare infection at petting zoos, health officials said.
State and county health officials are investigating the infections, said Bill Toth of the Orange County Health Department.
Four children being treated at Florida Hospital Orlando visited zoos at the Central Florida Fair in Orlando, which ended March 13.
A fifth child who visited a petting zoo at the Florida Strawberry Festival in Plant City, which also ended March 13, is being treated at the Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children & Women.
Officials said they are investigating whether a sixth child who was treated for the same ailment and released from Arnold Palmer Hospital about four weeks ago also came into contact with petting zoo animals.
The potentially dangerous kidney condition - hemolytic uremic syndrome, or HUS - is a rare complication arising from an initial infection most commonly associated with E. coli, a bacterium found in undercooked beef or contaminated food.
But Toth said not all the children are showing signs of E. coli exposure, and investigators are running fresh samples through additional tests.
Officials said three of the children have tested positive for a different bacterium - Staphylococcus aureus - that can sometimes lead to the kidney problem.
The children might have been exposed to the bacteria through the animals' feces, officials said.
Central Florida Fair manager Charles Price said petting zoo exhibits are inspected by health officials and veterinarians.
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Don't let Judge Greer near these kids!
I've taken care of kids with HUS in the hospital. Sometimes their renal failure reverses, sometimes it doesn't.
Didn't a bunch of folks get sick at a petting zoo near you?
Yes, that happened in Raleigh, NC at the North Carolina State Fair last fall.
In fact, my 4-year-old daughter actually went to the petting zoo in question.
I'll see if I can locate the thread.
I thought I remembered that, just ping'd you to another case.
Any chance that the same outfit put on both zoos? The one in Orlando was a temporary one as part of a fair. I would imagine that they move from city to city. It would really chap me to learn that this is not the first outbreak for the folks in charge of the petting zoo.
The NC State Fair was run by a new operator this year: Reithoffer Shows of Gibsonton, Fla.
I am trying to find out if they same FL outfit put on the Orlando petting zoo...
they=the
Its strange isnt it? Amish kids are around animal feces all the time they havent had a lot of problems with this. Is this all petting zoo's or one in particular?. Is this something new, such as the peanut butter allergies? Something modern kids are developing?
The press is doing a disservice by not reporting all the facts.
E-Coli is a bacteria that is very common and exists in the gut to aid in food digestion.
"Farm animals" (ponies, goats, cows, donkies, etc) tend to roll in manure. This manure coats the animal with a e-coli mixture.
If you touch one of these animals, you should wash your hands as soon as possible after exposure.
If children are not able to wash up before eating or sticking their fingers in their mouth/nose, do not let them pet these animals.
Looks like a different operator. Must be using similar unsanitary practices.
Showbiz petting Zoo & Circus
4821 Alta Lane
Peoria , IL 61615
http://www.centralfloridafair.com/fair/community.htm
FL PING.....
NC Dept of Health & Human Services: E. coli Case Update, December 16, 2004
Yes, but if it is a potential hazard to young children, you would think the operator would ensure that hands are washed prior to leaving. Much like a range officer at a shooting range making sure eye & ear protection are being worn.
If the parents were notified, there were washing facilities present & plainly obvious, then that is a different story entirely. That would point to parental neglect.
The Eschericia Coli in the gut is a different strain than the E.Coli that causes HUS (that strain is E. Coli:0157).
Perhaps a regulation requiring proper washing facilities at the exit to the pet zoo is the answer. At least some handy wipes.
It's called washing hands. Modern kids haven't successfully developed this. Amish kids have.
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