University of Wisconsin - Extension

Farm visits are a great way for producers to demonstrate the care that goes into raising healthy animals. Letting visitors get close to animals is often the most popular part of farm visits, but it poses some risks to both the visitors and the farm animals, according to Pamela Ruegg, University of Wisconsin-Extension milk quality specialist. Some simple precautions taken before and during a farm visit can help to ensure that the visit is safe for both the visitors and the animals.

Contact with farm animals puts people at risk for the transmission of several organisms that can cause disease in humans. Ruegg said human pathogens such as E. coli O157:H7, Salmonella, Listeria, cryptosporidia and Campylobacter can be shed in manure or raw milk (even in some healthy animals) and can be transmitted to humans.

Certain farm animals have a greater risk for transmitting infections to humans. In general, calves, cows that have just calved and sick animals are more likely to shed human pathogens as compared to other farm animals. They are also the most susceptible animals to acquire contagious animal diseases.

One of the greatest risks to visitors is contact with manure.

?Many calves shed Campylobacter (which is the number one cause of diarrhea in humans), cryptosporidia and Salmonella in their manure,? Ruegg said. ?If children touch calves and then put their hands in their mouths or handle food, they are at risk. If you have treats for the kids or if they bring lunches, feed them well away from the animals and make sure they wash their hands before eating. Better yet, feed the children first before they go near the animals.?

Also, consider the age group of the children.

?Little children probably can't keep their hands out of their mouths and thus probably shouldn't touch the calves,? Ruegg said. ?Older kids should have proper hygiene explained to them and if you let them feed or pet the calves, have them clean and dry their hands with soap and running water immediately after. If running water is not available, a waterless hand cleaner or antibacterial hand wipes can be substituted, but the ability of these products to successfully inactivate pathogens has not been documented under farm conditions.?

Farmers should keep visitors out of calving pens and sick cow areas. This commonsense precaution will also help keep visitors away from the needles and syringes that have been used for cow health care.

Ruegg also recommends serving only dairy products made from pasteurized milk. Every year people get sick from the consumption of raw milk and raw milk products. Young children (under 5 years of age), the elderly, pregnant women and persons whose immune systems are compromised (such as those with HIV/AIDS or undergoing chemotherapy) are especially at risk from these products.

For more information on farm biosecurity, see the UW-Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources web site at http://www.uwex.edu/ces/ag/fmdweb.html"> http://www.uwex.edu/ces/ag/fmdweb.html. Also see the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection Biosecurity recommendations at http://datcp.state.wi.us/static/ah/footmouth/index.asp"> http://datcp.state.wi.us/static/ah/footmouth/index.asp