• Post signs to warn visitors about the risks of germs spreading from livestock to people.  Visitors should be made aware that the risk is even higher with some animals (those that are ill, calves or other young cud-chewing animals, or young poultry). Educate staff as to the dangers so that they can reinforce the message with the public.
• Do not let the public bring food or drinks near the animals. Tell them that other hand-to-mouth activities, such as smoking and carrying toys and pacifiers should not be done in petting areas.
• Keep animal pens away from where food is being served and from infant care areas. If the animals are not supposed to be touched, keep them in pens that stop people from getting close. Areas where animals can be petted or touched should be closely supervised by informed staff.
• Provide places for people to wash their hands in both the petting area and the food service area. Post signs telling people that they need to wash their hands after touching the animals or their pens, before eating and when leaving the petting area. Staff should tell visitors to wash their hands with running water, soap and disposable towels (a basin of standing water is not appropriate). Young children should be helped. Use hand sanitizers if running water is not available.
• Do not serve raw (unpasteurized) milk under any circumstances.
• People with weakened immune systems (those who are HIV/AIDS positive, receiving cancer therapy etc., pregnant women, children under five years of age or elderly people) should be especially careful about following the precautions. They may even want to consider not visiting the petting area.

Source: Middlesex-London Health Unit Executive Summary from "An E.coli O157:H7 Outbreak Associated with an Animal Exhibit", 03/08/01 and CDC "Outbreaks of Escherichia coli O157:H7 Infections Among Children Associated with Farm Visits" - Pennsylvania and Washington, 2000.