Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) is an uncommon disorder characterized by acute kidney failure, low red cell count and low platelet count. In children, HUS most often occurs after several days of diarrhea, often bloody, due to a specific strain of E. coli named O157:H7.
E. coli O157:H7 causes inflammation of the intestine. It
Petting Zoo Safety
In a recent article about petting zoo safety, Dr. Jeanne Ellen Hyrciuk, MD, FCAP, discussed how to safeguard against the hazards of disease-inducing bacteria after contact with petting zoo animals and look out for signs of illness such as nausea, stomach cramps, diarrhea or fever.
With the rise in popularity of petting zoos, there
Sandstorm over health
Newsday reports that recent studies suggest that the nation’s beaches are filled with E.coli and other organisms that may threaten human health.
Scientists conducting the studies say E.coli may not be the only infectious worry. Richard Whitman, chief of the Lake Michigan Ecological Research Station, says that his research shows that “there are other pathogens.”
Petting area slated to reopen for patrons
The Blade News reports that less than a month after officials warned they might close it for the summer because a routine animal screening detected an infectious bacteria, The Toledo Zoo’s petting zoo is scheduled to reopen.
The petting zoo closed June 24, after one Lucas County child became infected with campylobacteriosis. Although a
Is the party over?
The Brandon Times reports that since the E. coli outbreak earlier this year at the Florida Strawberry Festival, requests for Pony Party Plus have dried up.
Pony Party Plus, owned by Jennifer Borg, is a mobile petting zoo – complete with pony rides, goats, chicken, sheep, pigs and rabbits. The reptile portion of her business
Bluegrass Fair scraps animal exhibits
The Herald-Leader reports that outbreaks of E. coli infection, from handling petting zoo animals at festivals and fairs around the nation, has prompted Lexington Lions Club Bluegrass Fair organizers to skip its popular live farm animal display and petting zoo.
Last winter, more than 26 people were infected with E. coli after handling petting zoo
E. coli: The Good, The Bad, The Resistant
According to this month’s Ontario Pork Newsletter, Patrick Boerlin, Department of Pathobiology professor at the University of Guelph, is collaborating with researchers at the University of Guelph and the Public Health Agency of Canada to understand and lesson antibiotic resistance in bacteria using a genetic approach.
Specifically, Boerlin and his collaborators are identifying and
Keeping a close eye on animal health
Animals are always a big draw at fairs, both for sale, show, and petting – and so their health and safety is a big concern.
Animals are checked for a variety of diseases and conditions, including ringworm, contagious warts, respiratory disease and general illnesses. Dr. John Been, the Sauk County Fair’s head veterinarian, said with
Health department cracking down on meat vendors at farmers market
Seth Slabaugh of the Muncie Gannett reports that The Delaware County Health Department wants to prevent outbreaks of foodborne illness – but their crackdown on how local vendors handle their food might cause a few of them to stop selling their wares at the Minnetrista Farmers’ Market.
“The health department is just doing their job,”
E. coli temporarily clears Oak Creek
Larson Newspapers reports that Slide Rock State Park officials cleared visitors from the waters of Oak Creek during the Fourth of July weekend due to high readings of E. coli 0157:H7.
E. coli is a bacteria that can cause severe intestinal illness. Infection can occur from consuming contaminated foods or liquids, or by swimming