E-coli at petting farms.

[bookbinder]

How come that the only people who seem to be affected by the e-coli outbreak are farm visitors, mainly children? I haven't heard of farm workers catching the infection. Does this indicate that the visitors aren't doing as they are told (namely, washing hands thoroughly, etc.)? If so, it seems a bit hard on the farmers when their farms are shut down, just because some outsider hasn't done what they were told/asked.

[redcrx]

perhaps the bug is stronger in children too.

Most of these petting farms have all the handgels, sinks etc right next to the petting areas, but kids being kids can easily touch something and parents not notice before hands are touching mouths, thumbs sucked etc.

[Ankou]

having worked in a zoo, i am very strict with my kids when we go to these sort of places, i have them squirting gel and washing and rinsing their hands every few seconds. but it doesn't make them immune does it, it just helps reduce the chance of transfer. we have been fortunate. others haven't.

[Sqad]

This type of E.coli has a predilection for children..........e.g it likes kids.

You are right bookbinder, children do not do what they are told generally and many adults give a bad examole by not washing their hands, particularly after going to the toilet.

[bookbinder]

Many thanks to redcrx, Ankou, and Sqad for your thoughtful replies. A word from an affected farmer would be interesting. Are there any affected farmers on Answer Bank?