Audubon Petting Zoo Not Linked to Recent E.coli Cases

Posted: Jun 4, 2012 9:09 PM by KATC

Petting zoos are not the source of three E.coli cases reported in the New Orleans area in May, according to the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals.
According to Dr. Gary Balsamo, State Public Health Veterinarian and Assistant State Epidemiologist in the Office of Public Health, Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals, "Three cases of toxigenic E.coli were reported to DHH in May 2012 in the Greater New Orleans area. These cases all have the same "DNA fingerprints". They are part of a CDC cluster of cases coming from several southern states. The CDC investigation has not yet identified the common source. Rumors that the strain are coming from petting zoos appear to be unfounded."

Audubon Zoo is a licensed and accredited attraction inspected regularly by several government entities. "The safety of our millions of annual guests at Audubon attractions is always of utmost concern to us," said Audubon Nature Institute President and CEO Ron Forman." Audubon will continue to follow strict and proper protocol to ensure the well being of our visitors."