Although visits to Petting Zoos, Farms etc can be both educational and fun for minded children, recent news items have highlighted that farm animals can carry viruses and bacteria, including E. coli. Some of these infections can cause very serious illnesses, especially in children.

If you still want to take minded children to a petting zoo or farm, you should ensure - as always - that you have the appropriate permissions and have carried out a thorough risk assessment bearing in mind the enhanced hygiene precautions now advised by the Health Protection Agency (HPA).

The HPA have produced a very useful guidance leaflet entitled "Farm visits and E. coli O157 Advice for the public" which is downloadable from their website www.hpa.org.uk/webc and further information is available on the HPA website at: www.hpa.org.uk