Agricultural Fairs & Exhibitions Toolkit for Local Health Departments

About this Toolkit

This toolkit was developed for local public health partners to use in the prevention of zoonotic diseases at fairs, petting zoos, and exhibits in North Carolina where live animals are present. Animals can sometimes carry harmful germs that can spread to people and cause illness – these are known as zoonotic diseases or zoonoses. Zoonotic diseases are caused by harmful germs like viruses, bacteria, parasites, and fungi.

The resources in this toolkit are intended to help local public health partners establish communication and engagement with fair managers and animal exhibitors for a coordinated effort toward prevention of zoonotic disease transmission at live animal exhibits.

LHD Directors Memo: Please review the LHD Directors Memo outlining expectations regarding zoonotic disease prevention at agricultural fairs.

Aedin's Law

In 2005, the North Carolina General Assembly passed Aedin’s Law, which provides protection to the public while in animal exhibits at agricultural fairs. Thanks to Aedin's Law, animals in public contact at agriculturally sanctioned fairs are already regulated, with the primary purpose being Public Health.

What to know about Aedin's Law:

• In the event of an outbreak, NCDA will have lists and contact information for animal contact exhibits.
• Aedin’s law requires a number of protective actions, but only for animals intended to be in public contact (e.g. petting zoos, pony rides, milking booths, and poultry handling exhibits).
• Animals present for show or exhibition (public contact not intended) will not be covered by Aedin’s law, and there is no requirement for public education or other measures. However, a number of recommendations for public education and other measures do exist. Please refer to the LHD Directors Memo, the resources below, and NC DHHS: Agricultural Fairs & Exhibitionsfor more information.

Additional Resources and References

• CDC: Updated Guidance to Help Prevent Spread of Flu at Agricultural Fairs
• USDA: Recommendations to Minimize Influenza Transmission at Dairy Cattle Livestock Exhibitions
• NCDA&CS: Recommendations to Minimize Influenza Transmission at Dairy Cattle Livestock Exhibitions
• NCDPH: Protect Yourself Against Illness from Cattle
• NCDPH: Avian Flu Webpage