Agricultural Fairs/Exhibitions and Avian Flu

In 2005, the North Carolina General Assembly passed a rule called Aedin’s Law. This law helps keep people safe when they visit animal exhibits at fairs. North Carolina was the first state to create a law like this. Around the same time, the National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians (NASPHV) created a national guide on how to stay healthy around animals at fairs. Both Aedin’s Law and the national guide were created after a 2004 E. coli outbreak that happened at a petting zoo.

Protect Yourself and Others

Follow these safety tips when visiting agricultural fairs:

Wash Your Hands

• Before eating, drinking or preparing food.

• After petting animals or being around animal areas.

Supervise children’s hand washing.

Avoid Eating or Drinking in Animal Areas

Keep food and beverages away from animal enclosures to prevent contamination.

Keep Personal Items Clean

• Wash clothing after visiting animals.

• Keep young children’s toys, pacifiers and blankets outside of animal interaction areas.

Avoid Contact with Raw Milk

• Avoid splashes.

• Wash hands after milking animals.

For Agricultural Fair Organizers/Exhibitors

Agricultural fair organizers and exhibitors can use these resources to prevent diseases at fairs, petting zoos and exhibits in North Carolina where live animals are present.

Have questions? Contact your local health department.