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SUNNY Temp: 88 °F Wind: WNW at 10 mph Thursday, July 24, 2003 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA HomeLife Magazine W3 Magazine Jobs @ Mail Tribune Tempo A & E Oregon CarZone Wellness Connection Real Estate Newspaper in Education Prime Times Outdoor Journal Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Contact Us Media Kit Email Story to a Friend June 17, 2003 Local fair officials work to prevent E. coli outbreak By DAMIAN MANN Mail Tribune Jackson County fair officials have stepped up efforts to head off the kind of E. coli outbreak that afflicted 82 people last summer in Lane County. Before the start of this year’s fair July 15, surfaces inside livestock pens will be sprayed with a disinfectant that kills the E. coli bacteria. Fair manager Chris Borovansky said a coating of the broad spectrum virucidal insecticide Virkon will cut the risks of disease transmission. He said the product, which stays effective for seven to 10 days, is safe for animals and humans. Advertisement This is the latest in a series of steps fair officials have taken to cut the potential for spreading disease, he said. "We can’t eliminate all the risks," he said. "But we’re quietly ahead of the curve and have taken steps to eliminate any possible risks." In Lane County’s outbreak, the largest in the state’s history, investigators traced the E. coli to the sheep and goat exposition hall but never determined exactly how people got infected. The bacteria could have spread through straw contaminated with animal feces, but traces of E. coli also were found in the building’s rafters, indicating that it became airborne and could have fallen on food, floors, railings or people’s skin. Brett Thomas, county environmental health specialist, said no cases of E. coli have ever been traced to Jackson County fair. "After what happened in Lane County, we are certainly obligated to protect the folks who come out to our fair," he said. Since 1999, well before the Lane County outbreak, the local fair has taken steps to improve health safety. Sand has been used in animal bedding areas rather than straw or wood shavings to minimize dust. The petting zoo was eliminated two years ago. Fair officials have encouraged people not to eat in livestock areas, and there will be a rigorous effort to clean railings and other surfaces to minimize the spread of contamination. Aisles in the livestock barns will be sprayed with water during the fair to minimize dust. Hand-washing stations will be available to anyone who goes through the livestock exhibits, and separate eating areas have been set up for 4-H members. Thomas noted that children who are around livestock on a daily basis build up immunities to many bacteria that could prove unhealthy to others. Fair officials also will set up signs to alert people to potential health problems, particularly children and those with weakened immune systems. Reach reporter Damian Mann at 776-4476, or e-mail [email protected] The Associated Press also contributed to this story. Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend Subscribe Archive: Click to Search Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2003 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Rogue Valley Auto Finder Rogue Valley Job Finder --> Rogue Valley Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Real Estate Showcase Food for Thought Hike of the Week Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Openings Prime Times