Fair-goers asked to limit contact with animals
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
When a friendly goat presents a nose to be rubbed it's almost impossible not to comply.
This year, however, there are stern warnings against such tactile gratification.
Visitors at the Kosciusko County 4-H and Community Fair are being asked to curtail one of the joys of the 4- H fair - reaching out and touching a wooly lamb's back or stroking the nose of a curious calf.
There are no cases of foot and mouth disease in the United States, but the Indiana State Board of Animal Health isn't taking any chances.
Posters are displayed at every animal barn asking everyone to keep their hands off the llamas, pigs, cattle, sheep and goats. The opportunistic virus can spread from animal to human hand to another animal with ease.
Anyone who has traveled overseas in the last week is cautioned against entering the barns at all.
Animals on exhibit at the fair are in prime condition and are accompanied by a current veterinarian's certificate of health. They are vaccinated against all common diseases know to their particular breed.
The specter of food and mouth disease, which continues to spread in European countries, however, is cause for great concern.
People visiting the animal barns have a greater risk of coming into contact with E. coli and salmonella. People are advised to wash their hands after visiting the barns.
The Indiana State Board of Animal Health also advises a change of clothing and shoes when returning home during or after a show to do chores.
Feed, tools, clippers, buckets, water tanks and other equipment must not be shared among exhibitors unless the items have been thoroughly cleaned and disinfected.
Each barn has its own checklist for cleanups during and after the fair and diligently follows these guidelines.
Visitors can help limit the possibility of disease by keeping their hands to themselves. [[In-content Ad]]
When a friendly goat presents a nose to be rubbed it's almost impossible not to comply.
This year, however, there are stern warnings against such tactile gratification.
Visitors at the Kosciusko County 4-H and Community Fair are being asked to curtail one of the joys of the 4- H fair - reaching out and touching a wooly lamb's back or stroking the nose of a curious calf.
There are no cases of foot and mouth disease in the United States, but the Indiana State Board of Animal Health isn't taking any chances.
Posters are displayed at every animal barn asking everyone to keep their hands off the llamas, pigs, cattle, sheep and goats. The opportunistic virus can spread from animal to human hand to another animal with ease.
Anyone who has traveled overseas in the last week is cautioned against entering the barns at all.
Animals on exhibit at the fair are in prime condition and are accompanied by a current veterinarian's certificate of health. They are vaccinated against all common diseases know to their particular breed.
The specter of food and mouth disease, which continues to spread in European countries, however, is cause for great concern.
People visiting the animal barns have a greater risk of coming into contact with E. coli and salmonella. People are advised to wash their hands after visiting the barns.
The Indiana State Board of Animal Health also advises a change of clothing and shoes when returning home during or after a show to do chores.
Feed, tools, clippers, buckets, water tanks and other equipment must not be shared among exhibitors unless the items have been thoroughly cleaned and disinfected.
Each barn has its own checklist for cleanups during and after the fair and diligently follows these guidelines.
Visitors can help limit the possibility of disease by keeping their hands to themselves. [[In-content Ad]]