Essex Junction News reports that the Champlain Valley Fair has teamed up with the University of Vermont’s Extension Service to offer hand-sanitizing stations near farm exhibits, to make visitors to the fair aware of dangerous bacteria spread by contact with animals, including salmonella and e-coli.
The hope is that with proper education, visitors won’t contract any diseases by petting animals and then immediately eating food with their fingers. “It’s really very important that when you leave an exhibit, you should wash your hands,” says Nancy Knapp of the Champlain Valley Fair.
While hand-sanitizing stations offer convenience, washing with soap and hot water is still best.