Preventing e coli infection

South of England Rare Breeds Centre

Preventing e coli infection

The Rare Breeds Centre always has been very aware of the risk presented by infectious diseases including e coli and has always adopted measures designed to prevent infection.

The Rare Breeds Centre is obviously concerned to learn of the serious illness that has affected children and older visitors who had contact with animals at an unrelated park in Surrey and has undertaken a review of its risk assessment to further re-enforce measures to promote safety.

While we await the outcome of enquiries taking place at the Park affected it has to be likely that contact with animals or their waste products at the location of the outbreak will prove to be the significant factor.

E coli is a bacterium found in intestines of man and animals.E coli 0157, initially known as the "hamburger bug" due to the number of outbreaks resulting from eating undercooked hamburgers.

Microbiologists have subsequently discovered that cases can be as a result of environmental causes - i.e. from playing in fields once occupied by cattle and sheep or by touching infected animals.

The Rare Breeds Centre has always encouraged contact with its animals and at this time, in accordance with Government agency advice, we are not stopping contact. The RBC will however re enforce measures designed to control infection including the following advice to customers:-

A variety of potentially harmful Bacteria is present in most environments.

The Rare Breeds Centre recommends that you always wash your hands:

• After any contact with animals and / or animals cages, pens.
• Before consuming food or drink
• After using the toilet
• Before leaving the site.

The Rare Breeds Centre has wash station and toilet facilities available for the free and unlimited use by any person visiting.

The Rare Breeds Centre also has a welly and footwear area sited at the wash station opposite the Children's Barn and recommend use to reduce the risk of bacteria being transferred on footwear. Please use the area before you leave the site.

The Rare Breeds Centre has increased the free availability of alcohol hand gel but must advise that gel is no substitute for careful hand washing.

Cover any breaks in the skin
Open wounds offer an easy route to infection. Covering open wounds, no matter how small, will limit the opportunity for bacteria to enter the body.

Protective gloves are available for "meet the animal" sessions. Please ask the supervising staff if you require these items. They will be available free of charge