Fairs and Animal Exhibits Toolkit

About this Toolkit

This toolkit was developed for local public health partners to use in the prevention of zoönotic diseases at fairs, petting zoos, and exhibits in California where live animals are present. 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 zoönotic disease transmission at live animal exhibits.

Why is zoönotic disease prevention at fairs and animal exhibits important?

Millions of guests visit California's fairs each year, many of whom engage directly or indirectly with livestock and other live animals on exhibit. People who have contact with livestock or their environments are at risk for infection from zoönotic pathogens (such as E. coli). Illnesses from these pathogens can range from mild and self-limiting to severe and potentially fatal. Thoughtfully planned events, facility design, and staff and visitor education can help reduce the transmission of zoönotic pathogens from animals on exhibit to visitors at the fair. The resources in this toolkit can help local partners better understand and mitigate zoönotic disease risks at fairs and animal exhibits, ultimately reducing disease risk and severe outcomes among fair staff and the visiting public.

The resources in this toolkit primarily focus on prevention of fecal-oral transmitted pathogens and are not exhaustive of animal health practices or all zoönotic diseases. Animal health and safety measures (i.e., animal well-being and diseases spread from humans to animals) should also be considered when preparing for local events where animals will be housed and/or exhibited. Select resources on the prevention of airborne zoönoses in live animal exhibits are available below.

Who is this toolkit for?

This toolkit is designed for use by officials at city and county local health departments (LHDs) in California. Secondary users of the resources in this toolkit include local fair management, fair organizers, animal exhibitors, fair staff, and members of the public visiting a fair or petting zoo.

When and where should this toolkit be used?

Fairs typically operate in spring, summer, and fall in California. LHDs should start using the resources in this toolkit about 2–3 months in advance of a fair’s opening. This will allow for adequate time to connect and collaborate with local fair management and other key partners to assess and plan for zoönotic disease prevention.

While the toolkit may help LHDs to initiate conversations with fair management, CDPH strongly encourages local public health officials to meet in-person with fair managers and operators at the fairgrounds to jointly review the guidance and best practices advocated in these resources.

How should this toolkit be used?

Handwashing stations at local fair Many resources in this toolkit are best used by downloading, printing, and using on-site, such as during inspections and walk-throughs at fairs and petting zoos. To foster ongoing collaborations, LHDs should consider providing both digital and printed copies to fair managers for use when assessing animal exhibits and venues together.

Toolkit Contents

Note: LHDs may co-brand toolkit resources.

If using Microsoft Edge, right-click and select "Save link as" to download template files (.DOCX and .PPTX).

Resources for LHDs

Fair Work Plan for LHDs (PDF) – outline of steps for LHDs to take in preparation for fair season

LHD Fair Worksheet (PDF) – supplementary worksheet for documenting key contacts and information about a fair, including types of animal exhibits and precautionary measures in place

Introductory Email Template (.DOCX) – for LHDs to use and customize when initiating communications with fair management

Attach pertinent resources for fair management when sending email communication (see “Resources for LHDs to Share with Fair Management" box below)

News Release Templates

Announcing Fair Season (.DOCX) – news release for LHDs to customize and use when announcing the opening of a local fair
Outbreak Notification (.DOCX) – news release for LHDs to customize and use if a suspected outbreak is linked to animal exposure at a fair

Resources for LHDs to Share with Fair Management

Best Practices for Fair Management and Animal Exhibitors (PDF) – for fair management to review regarding animal exhibit design and sample public health messaging
Fair Management Checklist (PDF) – checklist of items for fair management to review and confirm in preparation for and during a fair event

Consider printing multiple copies if multiple venues are being reviewed

Health and Safety Tips for Animal Exhibitors (.DOCX) – memo for fair management to customize and distribute to livestock exhibitors at a fair

Exhibitors include individuals or businesses with animals on display that perform for or interact with the public, participate in shows and competitions, or are used in educational presentations (includes youth and petting zoo vendors)