XENIA — Public health officials in Greene County have a warning for people headed to the fair this week.
From sweeping the floor to cleaning cages and milking goats, there’s a lot of work that goes on behind the scenes at the Greene County Fair.
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For some, participating in the fair and 4-H are family traditions.
But for those who didn’t grow up in 4-H, it may not always be clear what’s appropriate and what isn’t when it comes to handling livestock.
Ahead of the fair, Greene County Public Health are issuing a warning to potential fair-goers reminding people that something as simple as hand washing or not eating or drinking around animals can help prevent illness.
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“Cleanliness is a big part of keeping us healthy and the animals healthy and [is] just a better way to enjoy the whole fair,” said Danielle Norman of Jamestown.
Norman, who shows goats, explained that those recommendations aren’t only important for fair-goers’ health, but for her animals’ health as well.
“They can get sicknesses too and it hurts your whole herd,” she said.
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Health officials also recommended that strollers be kept out of animal areas and that anyone with a weakened immune system stay away from livestock altogether.