Here are the “simple guidelines” that Ireland has published to prevent little kids from barfing after visiting a petting zoo.

-Observe farm notices.

-Avoid consuming unpasteurised products.

-Avoid tasting animal feedstuffs.

_Cover all cuts or broken skin with waterproof plasters.

_Avoid letting your face come into contact with animals.

_Eat only in designated eating areas.

_Wash and dry hands after contact with animals or animal feed and before eating and drinking.

_Ensure that children’s handwashing is supervised by adults.

_Ensure that children under the age of five are very closely supervised in the presence of any animals.

_Avoid eating anything off the ground.

_Avoid putting fingers in your mouth or in the mouths of animals.

_Avoid touching manure or slurry.

_Only feed animals under supervision from a farm worker.

_Pregnant women should avoid handling sheep or lambs.

_Wash hands and make sure that shoes are free from animal dung when leaving the farm.

Dr Paul McKeown of the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) said that adherence to these simple guidelines “will ensure that such cases (of E. coli induced hemolytic uremic syndrome) are kept to a minimum here.”

I wonder if Dr. McKeown has kids, or has ever seen kids at a petting zoo?