Farm visits and zoonoses

Recent reports of outbreaks of gastrointestinal illness, such as cryptosporidiosis, associated with visits to farms have drawn attention to the possible risks of acquiring zoonotic infections through contact with farm animals. These risks seem to be small, but it is important that people who work in urban and rural farms, and such establishments as animal sanctuaries where the general public can come into close contact with farm livestock and other animals, should be alerted to the simple precautions needed to prevent transmission of infections.