Ohioans reminded to take simple steps to stay healthy at fairs

Leaders at the Ohio Departments of Agriculture and Health want to encourage guests to practice good hygiene when visiting livestock exhibits this summer.

“Ohio’s fairs are wonderful events that promote our state’s next generation of leaders and highlight the strength of food and agriculture as Ohio’s largest industry,” ODA Director David T. Daniels said in a news release. “We want to ensure that guests and animals at our fairs stay healthy and it’s so important that patrons follow posted signs and make healthy decisions when visiting the fair.”

Visitors should wash their hands with soap and water before and after petting or touching any animal. Never eat, drink or put anything in your mouth in animal areas. Strollers should be left outside the animal exhibits. Older adults, pregnant women, young children and those with weakened immune systems should consider avoiding animal areas. “Simply washing your hands can help ensure your visit to a fair is fun and safe,” ODH Director Lance Himes said in the release. “While not common, some illnesses can be directly transmitted between animals and humans, and fairgoers need to keep that in mind this summer.”

ODA works with fairboards to increase access to hand sanitizers and hand-washing stations, and provides educational signage for posting at barns. Frequent hand-washing can lower the risk of getting sick from influenza, salmonella, e. Coli and other illnesses. Ohio’s fair veterinarians are trained to monitor fair livestock and poultry for signs of illness. Exhibitors who believe their animals may be sick should contact their barn manager and fair veterinarian. Fair guests who experience illness should contact a medical professional and their local health district.