Anyone can get sick from germs animals can carry, but some people are more likely to get sick and have more serious illness. It’s important for people at increased risk to know how to stay healthy around animals. The following groups of people are at higher risk for getting seriously sick from germs animals can carry. These groups do not need to avoid all contact with animals but should be aware of animals that are more likely to spread germs, like rodents, reptiles, amphibians, and poultry.

Adults 65 and Older

Older adults are more likely to get sick from germs some animals—even household pets—can carry, and their illness may be more severe than other people. As people age, their immune systems and organs don’t recognize and get rid of harmful germs as well as they once did. To stay healthy, older adults 65 and older should be aware of the increased risk of getting sick from certain animals (like rodents, reptiles, amphibians, and poultry )and should consider other animals as pets.

People with Weakened Immune Systems

People with a weakened immune system have a higher risk of getting diseases from animals.  A weakened immune system can be caused by a genetic condition, an illness such as HIV/AIDS, cancer, or kidney disease, or a treatment such as an organ transplant or radiation therapy. In addition, some medicines can weaken the immune system, including steroids, cancer chemotherapy, and drugs used to treat autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis or psoriasis.  People with weakened immune systems should avoid contact with high-risk animals like rodents, reptiles, amphibians, and poultry and take extra precautions in caring for dogs, cats, birds, and fish to reduce the risk of getting sick.

Children Younger Than 5 Years Old

Children younger than 5 years old are more likely to get sick from germs that animals can carry. This is because young children often touch surfaces that may be contaminated with animal feces (poop), and they are more likely to put their hands in their mouths. Young children are more likely to get a serious illness from germs that animals can carry because their immune systems are still developing. Young children should avoid contact with high-risk animals like reptiles, amphibians, backyard poultry, and rodents.

Pregnant People

Pregnant people are more likely than other people to get sick from certain germs animals can carry. Pregnant people can pass germs and harmful bacteria to their unborn babies or to their babies during birth. Germs, bacteria and infections can cause serious illness, birth defects, and lifelong disabilities, such as hearing loss or learning problems. Pregnant people are at risk for toxoplasmosis, which can spread from cats, and lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV), which can spread from some rodents.

Did you know that pregnant people are more likely to get sick from certain germs animals can carry? Some of these diseases can cause pregnancy complications like birth defects. The good news is there are easy ways to stay healthy around animals – just follow the tips below.

Pick the right pet

Wait to adopt a new cat or pet rodent until after your pregnancy.

• Cats, especially kittens, can carry a parasite in their poop that causes toxoplasmosis—a disease that can cause birth defects.

Rodents (like mice and hamsters) can carry lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus, which can cause birth defects.

If you already have pets

If you’re pregnant and already own a pet rodent or cat, you don’t need to rehome your pet. Making some small adjustments to your routine can help keep you safe from illness.

• Avoid handling cat litter during your pregnancy. Have someone else in your household change cat litter. If that’s not possible, wear disposable gloves and wash your hands after handling litter.
• Avoid direct contact with your rodent and its habitat during your pregnancy. If possible, have someone else in your household care for the rodent. If that’s not possible, wash your hands after handling the rodent or its supplies.

Always wash your hands after handling any pet, pet food or treats, or pet supplies.

Protect your health around all animals

• Wash your hands. Whether playing with, feeding, or cleaning up after an animal, always wash your hands after.
• Take your pet to the veterinarian regularly. Keeping your pet healthy keeps you healthy.
• Avoid contact with wild animals, especially rodents. Don’t let pets come in contact with wild animals.

Infants and children younger than 5 years old are more likely to get sick from germs that animals can carry. This is because young children often touch surfaces that may be contaminated with animal feces (poop), and they like to put their hands in their mouths. Objects like pacifiers may fall on dirty surfaces and then be placed in an infant’s mouth. Young children are less likely to wash their hands well.

Infants and young children are more likely to get a serious illness from germs that animals can carry because their immune systems are still developing. But there’s good news! You can take steps to keep your kids healthy while still enjoying animals!

Follow these steps to keep infants and young children healthy around animals

• Always supervise children around animals.
• Never allow children to kiss animals or to put their hands or other objects into their mouths after handling animals.
• Always wash children’s hands thoroughly with soap and water right after touching, feeding, or caring for animals or cleaning their habitats. Adults should supervise handwashing for young children.
• Wash your hands before breastfeeding or preparing formula.
• Keep children away from animals while they are eating to prevent the risk of bites or other injuries.

Because young children are more likely to get sick from harmful germs that animals can carry, CDC recommends that children under 5 years old avoid contact with the following animals:

• Reptiles (lizards, snakes, and turtles)
• Amphibians (frogs, toads, newts, and salamanders)
• Backyard poultry, including baby chicks or ducklings
• Rodents (rats, mice, hamsters, gerbils, and guinea pigs)

Additionally, children younger than 5 years old should be extra cautious when visiting farms and when they’re around areas with farm animals, including animals at petting zoos and fairs.

People with weakened immune systems are more likely than other people to get certain diseases, including those that animals can carry. A weakened immune system can be caused by a genetic condition, an illness such as HIV/AIDS, cancer, or kidney disease; or a treatment such as an organ transplant or radiation therapy. In addition, some medicines can weaken the immune system, including steroids, cancer chemotherapy, and drugs used to treat autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis or psoriasis.

Having a weakened immune system doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy interacting with animals. Follow the tips below to stay safe and healthy around animals.

Getting A New Pet

When getting a new pet, avoid animals that are sick, feral, or young (cats and dogs under 6 months old). These animals are more likely to carry diseases that can make you sick.

The following types of animals are considered high-risk for people with weakened immune systems:

• Reptiles (lizards, snakes, turtles, frogs)
• Backyard poultry (chickens, ducks, turkeys, geese)
• Rodents (hamsters, guinea pigs, rats, mice, and other small rodents)
• Exotic pets (monkeys and other wild animals)

People with weakened immune systems should avoid contact with these animals and their environments. If you do touch these animals or items in their environment (like food or cages), wash your hands thoroughly with running water and soap after. People with weakened immune systems should be extra cautious when visiting farms and when in contact with farm animals, including animals at petting zoos and fairs.

Keep Clean!

Wash your hands thoroughly with running water and soap after handling animals, their waste (poop and pee), their food, or other supplies. If possible, you should avoid direct contact with animal poop. Adults should supervise children’s hand washing.

Caring for Your Pet

Take your pet to the veterinarian regularly for routine vaccinations and flea and tick prevention. If your pet is sick, get veterinary care as soon as possible. Any pet that has diarrhea should be checked by a veterinarian, who may test for infection with Cryptosporidium, Giardia, Salmonella, and/or Campylobacter, as well as other parasites. These germs and parasites can make people sick as well as pets.

Caring for Birds

Some birds can carry germs that can cause serious illness in people with weakened immune systems. Clean bird cage linings daily. Wear gloves when handling items contaminated with bird droppings. Wash your hands after handling birds, their toys, food and water dishes, or other equipment and after cleaning bird cages, habitats, or perches.

Caring for Fish

Do not clean fish tanks by yourself; ask a family member or friend for assistance. If you must clean the tank yourself, wear disposable gloves. Wash your hands after handling fish tanks or supplies, including tank water, fish food, and anything in the tank.

Caring for Cats

Cat poop can sometimes carry a parasite that can cause a disease called toxoplasmosis. Toxoplasmosis can cause serious illness in people with weakened immune systems. If you have a cat, try to have another person clean out litter on a regular (daily) basis. Do not place litter boxes in kitchens, dining rooms, or other areas where food is prepared and eaten. Keep your cat indoors and avoid handling stray cats.

Feeding Your Pet

Some pet food can be contaminated with germs like Salmonella and Listeria, just like people food. Germs in pet food, especially raw food, can make both people and pets sick. Don’t feed pets raw diets and always wash your hands after handling pet food and treats. Don’t let your pet lick around your mouth and face after eating. Don’t let your pet scavenge for food, hunt, or eat other animals’ poop.

Animals can be entertaining and educational. But children, especially children under 5 years of age, are more likely to get sick from germs animals can sometimes carry. Children can learn a lot from animals, and it’s important to make sure they stay safe and healthy while they’re learning. If you plan to have an animal in your classroom, whether it’s a class pet or for a hands-on learning experience, be aware of the risks and how to prevent illness. You can help kids enjoy and learn from animals while staying healthy.

Animals can sometimes spread germs

Animals can sometimes carry germs that can make people sick, even if they look clean and healthy. You don’t have to touch an animal to get sick – the germs can spread to cages, bedding, and wherever animals roam.

There have been disease outbreaks from hatching eggs and chicks in the classroom and from contaminated animal products used for hands-on learning, such as owl pellets for dissection. Salmonella and E. coli are common germs spread by animals.

How to prevent germs from spreading in the classroom

• Do not bring reptiles, amphibians, poultry, rodents, or ferrets into schools, daycare centers, or other settings with children under 5 years of age.
• Adults should always supervise children’s contact with animals. Never allow children to put their hands or objects (including pacifiers) in their mouth while around animals.
• Create specific areas for interaction with animals. Do not allow animals to roam freely around the classroom, especially in areas where food or drink is prepared, served, or eaten.
• Do not dissect animals or other animal products where food for people is prepared, served, or eaten. Thoroughly clean and disinfect surfaces used for dissection.
• Consult with parents to determine special considerations for children who have allergies, asthma, or other illnesses.
• Students should wash their hands with water and soap right after handling animals, their food, or their habitats (for example, cages, terrariums, aquariums, water bowls, and toys).
  • When around animals, also wash hands after removing dirty clothes or shoes, before eating and drinking, and before preparing food or drinks.
  • Adults, including teachers, should always supervise handwashing for young children.
  • Use hand sanitizer if running water and soap are not available. If you only use hand sanitizer, be sure to wash your hands with soap and water as soon as possible.
• Clean and disinfect all areas where animals have been.
• Do not clean tanks, feeders, water containers, and other equipment in sinks or areas where food is prepared, served, or eaten.

Check that animals are healthy before bringing them into school

• Animals can look clean and healthy and still spread germs. Make sure all animals have appropriate and regular veterinary care, and proof of rabies vaccination for dogs and cats, according to local or state requirements.
• If the animal comes from a different state or country, it may need a health certificate issued by a veterinarian to travel across state lines or to enter the United States.
• Check local regulations, as well as school policies, before bringing animals into schools.
• If the animal becomes sick or dies:
  • Contact your veterinarian.
  • Take extra precaution when handling a sick animal because a sick or stressed animal is more likely be shedding harmful germs that can make people sick or to bite which can cause injury or spread germs.
  • Inform the pet store or breeder about the animal’s illness or death as soon as possible. Consider waiting before purchasing another pet from the same source.
  • Clean and disinfect the cage before reusing with another animal.
• If the animal bites someone:
  • Wash wounds with warm soapy water immediately.
  • Seek medical attention if:
    • The animal appears sick.
    • You don’t know if the animal has been vaccinated against rabies.
    • The wound is serious.
    • The wound becomes red, painful, warm or swollen.
    • It has been more than 5 years since your last tetanus shot.

Animals Not Suitable for School or Childcare Settings

• Reptiles, amphibians, poultry, rodents, and ferrets are not suitable for settings with children under 5 years of age.
• Nonhuman primates, such as monkeys and apes.
• Wild animals more likely to spread rabies, such as bats, raccoons, skunks, foxes, and coyotes.
• Stray animals and aggressive or unpredictable animals.
• Venomous or toxin-producing spiders, insects, and reptiles. Frogs, snakes, lizards, and other amphibians also may be venomous.

Interacting with animals at fairs, educational farms, petting zoos, summer camps, aquariums, schools, and other places can be educational and fun, and helps people learn about and experience animals they may not see in their daily lives. However, it’s important to know that animals sometimes carry germs that can make people sick.

Every year, many people get sick after visiting an animal exhibit. From 2010-2015, about 100 outbreaks of illness in people linked to animals in public settings like zoos, fairs, and educational farms were reported to public health officials. Some of the most common harmful germs people get from animals at exhibits are E. coli, Cryptosporodium, and Salmonella, but there are also many other types of germs that can spread between animals and people.

Children younger than 5 years old, people with weakened immune systems, and adults 65 years and older are more likely to get sick from germs animals can carry. These groups should take extra precautions at animal exhibits. If you forget to wash your hands after petting an animal, or bring food or drinks into an area with animals, you increase your chance of getting sick. Even animals that look clean and healthy can carry harmful germs, and areas where animals live or roam can be contaminated – you don’t have to touch an animal to get sick.

How to stay healthy if you visit an animal exhibit

Animal encounters such as touching or petting, feeding, and holding animals are becoming more popular, especially at zoos and aquariums. An animal exhibit can be anything from a large zoo to a livestock show at the county fair. You might also encounter animals at schools, as part of local festivals, or just out and about. Wherever you are, it’s important to know ways to stay healthy while enjoying animals.

Protect yourself and your family

Wash your hands

• Find where the handwashing stations are located.
• Wash your hands right after touching animals or anything in the areas where they live, roam, or eat.
• Wash your hands when you leave animal areas, even if you didn’t touch the animals or if you wore gloves.
• Running water and soap are best, but if they are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol and wash your hands with soap and running water as soon as you can.

Keep food and animals separate

• Don’t eat or drink around animals. Keep food and drinks away from animal areas.
• Don’t share your food with the animals, even if you think the food is part of the animal’s regular diet. Animals should eat the food provided for them by the animal exhibit.
• Don’t eat or drink raw (unpasteurized) products. Raw products made or sold at animal exhibits may include milk, cheese, cider, or juice.

Keep children safe around animals

• Always supervise children around animals.
• Children under 5 years old should not touch reptiles, amphibians, or poultry (like chickens or ducks) because these animals are more likely to make them sick.
• Leave items like strollers, pacifiers, cups, or toys outside the exhibit.
• Don’t let children put their fingers or objects (like pacifiers) in their mouths when they’re around animals or in an animal area.
• Don’t let children sit or play on the ground in animal areas.
• Teach children to approach animals with caution and follow the rules.
• Don’t let children put their fingers or objects near an animal’s mouth, even if the animal seems friendly.
• Follow rules provided on signs or verbally by the staff. For example, some contact exhibits have a “two-finger touch” rule.

If you work at, manage, or design animal exhibits

The Compendium of Measures to Prevent Diseases Associated with Animals in Public Settings [PDF – 25 pages] provides standardized recommendations for public health officials, veterinarians, animal venue operators, animal exhibitors, and others concerned with disease control and with minimizing risks associated with animals in public settings. NASPHV also provides a toolkit with examples of regulations on animal exhibitions, printable posters with messages on how to stay safe while enjoying animals, and a check list of petting zoo best practices.

Even healthy animals can carry germs that might make visitors sick. When designing an exhibit, you want to protect your animals and your visitors, while preserving the fun and education.

Design exhibits in ways that will help to prevent the spread of disease:

• Provide stations for handwashing at the exits of animal exhibits, including some that are low enough for children to reach.
• Educate staff and visitors on how to prevent illness after being around animals.
• Provide signs for guests on when and how to wash their hands, where they can eat, and areas for the animals. Use plain language and pictures.
• Keep dining and animal areas separate.
• Train staff and educate visitors on diseases animals may carry and how to prevent them.
• Teach staff about the risks of working around animals. Encourage them to talk to visitors about safety around animals, such as handwashing.
• Provide staff with resources on safety at animal exhibits, especially if staff includes veterinarians or healthcare providers.

State public health veterinarians are the local and state professionals who regularly work with physicians, emergency rooms, health departments, veterinarians, fair boards, local officials, schools, legislators, and communities on preventing and controlling diseases that people can get from animals and animal products.

Pets can provide us with companionship, unconditional love, and many physical and emotional benefit, like lower blood pressure, reduced stress, and physical activity. This week, celebrate your pets and the many ways they improve your life, and learn how to keep yourself and your pets healthy and happy.

Your Pet Might Not Look Like You, But…

…some germs can’t tell the difference. Many germs can infect both people and animals. Everyday activities involved in caring for your pet can spread germs, like handling pet food and toys, cleaning cages, and even kissing your pet. Washing your hands often is the best way to protect yourself.

How do germs spread between pets and people?

• Touching a pet, their food or treats, or items in its environment (like toys or habitats)
• Bites and scratches
• Touching or consuming contaminated food or water

Healthy Pets Make Healthy People

Pets sometimes carry germs that can make us sick. Keeping your pets healthy helps to keep you healthy too.

How to keep your pet (and you) healthy:

• Make sure your pet gets a good diet, fresh water, shelter, and exercise.
• Take your pet to the veterinarian regularly and make sure it gets routine vaccinations and flea, tick, and parasite prevention. Every pet should get life-long veterinary care.
• Wash your hands after touching your pet or its poop, toys, food, or other supplies.
• Keep your pet away from people food and areas where food and drinks are prepared, served, or consumed.
• Don’t let your pet lick around your mouth or open wounds.
• Supervise kids around pets.

Some Pets Are More Likely to Carry Germs

Reptiles, amphibians, and rodents are more likely to carry Salmonella and other germs. Even animals that look clean and healthy can carry harmful germs. Children younger than 5 years old, adults 65 and older, pregnant people, and people with weakened immune systems should take extra precautions around these animals.

Pet ownership can benefit your physical and mental health, but it also comes with many responsibilities. Read and answer the questions below to find out if you’re on the right track to keeping you, your family, and your pet happy and healthy!

Do you take your pet to the vet regularly?

Many pets need routine vaccinations, de-worming, and flea and tick control to protect them, and their owners, from certain diseases.

Do you practice good hygiene?

Always wash your hands after playing with, feeding, or cleaning up after your pet.

Do you supervise kids around your pet?

Always supervise young children around pets, even trusted family pets. Children, especially those under 5 years old, can be at higher risk for pet-related illnesses.

If you answered yes to all of these questions, congratulations! You are making responsible choices for your health and your pet’s health.