WYOMING — With summer soon on its way, the Wyoming Department of Health (WDH) is sharing “common-sense do’s and don’ts” for avoiding illnesses spread by water and animals.
“Many things we commonly do during Wyoming’s warmer months can sometimes cause unpleasant stomach-related symptoms and occasionally serious illness,” WDH Epidemiologist Courtney Tillman said in a statement. “We want Wyoming residents to safely enjoy their favorite summer activities.”
According to the WDH, diseases such as cryptosporidiosis, giardiasis and shigellosis are diarrheal illnesses caused by swallowing water from pools or outdoor sources contaminated with animal or human feces. These illnesses, along with salmonellosis, campylobacteriosis and E. coli-related illnesses, can also result from direct contact with animals or their feces during animal-related activities such as brandings or petting zoos.
“You should always wash your hands after coming into contact with animals or their habitats,” Tillman said. “It’s best to clean hands with running water and soap. If you can’t immediately access running water and soap, use hand sanitizer until you’re able to wash your hands. Water sources and animals may look clean to us, but we simply can’t tell that way whether they are contaminated.”
WDH Epidemiologist Matt Peterson said that every year there are new cases of salmonellosis linked to backyard poultry. Most of these cases involve children under five who have touched or held baby poultry in ranch supply stores or whose family have recently acquired baby poultry. Young children are more likely to get sick with Salmonella because their immune systems are still developing and they are more likely to put their fingers or other items with germs into their mouths.
“Do not allow young children to touch live poultry, such as chicks and ducklings, or anything in the area where these birds live and roam without supervision,” warns Peterson. “Backyard poultry can carry Salmonella germs in their droppings and on their bodies, even if they appear healthy and clean. These germs can easily spread to their cages, coops, hay, plants and soil in the areas where they live and roam.”
The WDH suggests these tips to protect ourselves and others:
- Stay out of the water if sick with diarrhea.
- Shower before getting in the water. When chlorine mixes with dirt, sweat, pee and feces, there is less chlorine available to kill germs.
- Take kids on bathroom breaks or check diapers every hour. Change diapers away from the water to keep germs from getting in.
- Dry ears thoroughly with a towel after getting out of the water.
- Boil or use a filter or solution designed to remove germs from streams, rivers and lakes before drinking.
- Wash hands thoroughly after coming into contact with animals and their habitats, before preparing food and before eating and drinking.
The WDH recommends avoiding the following:
- Don’t swallow swimming water and avoid getting water in the mouth.
- Don’t go to the bathroom in swimming water.
- Don’t sit or stand on jets at splash pads. Sitting or standing on jets can spread germs.
- Don’t let children kiss animals or put objects in their mouths after touching animals.
- Don’t touch wild animals or their carcasses. If concerned about a wild animal or animal carcass, contact the local animal control office.
