Always Wash Hands After Touching Animals... Beware of Zoonotic Diseases
As family outings increase in May, more people are visiting zoos and pet cafes, raising concerns about zoonotic infectious diseases transmitted through contact with animals. Health authorities emphasize the importance of following public hygiene rules, such as washing hands after touching animals.
According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency on the 5th, to prevent zoonotic infectious diseases, it is best to minimize direct contact with animals at animal experience facilities. If touching animals is unavoidable, hands must be washed thoroughly. Also, eating or drinking near animals should be avoided.
Infection can occur when viruses on hands that have touched animals or places animals have passed through enter the body. Transmission can also happen if bitten or scratched by animals. Representative infectious diseases that can be transmitted through animals include salmonellosis, bartonellosis, tuberculosis, and colibacillosis.
Especially for children under 5 years old, whose immune systems are weak and who are prone to injuries, guardians should never take their eyes off children near animals and be particularly cautious about contact with reptiles, amphibians, and poultry.
Meanwhile, starting December 14, under the Wildlife Protection and Management Act, the exhibition of live wild animals will be prohibited in facilities not licensed as zoos or aquariums. This measure aims to protect visitors and workers from zoonotic infectious diseases.
Hot Picks Today
As Samsung Falters, Chinese DRAM Surges: CXMT Returns to Profit in Just One Year
- "Most Americans Didn't Want This"... Americans Lose 60 Trillion Won to Soaring Fuel Costs
- Man in His 40s Who Kept Girlfriend's Body for a Year After Murder Sentenced to 30 Years in Prison Again on Appeal
- "Striking Will Lead to Regret": Hyundai-Kia Employees Speak Out... Uneasy Stares Toward Samsung Union
- "Why Make Things Like This?" Foreign Media Highlights Bizarre Phenomenon Spreading in Korea
When you must wash your hands at the zoo
② After leaving the animal enclosure
③ After using the restroom
④ When eating or drinking at the zoo
How should you wash your hands?
② Rub the backs of your hands, between fingers, and under nails thoroughly to create foam, scrubbing for at least 20 seconds
③ Rinse your hands well and dry them with a clean paper towel or air dry naturally
④ Never wipe wet hands on your clothes
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
