There are clear health and safety reasons why:

• Pets must be forbidden in food prep and service areas during food preparation and service times.

• A pet's food or water dish must be in a location where children cannot get at the dish.

House pets (just like humans) play host to their fair share of disease-causing micro-organisms and some of these can be transmitted to humans. As a result, our pets can sometimes pass their diseases on to us and to the children in our care.

The diseases humans can catch from their pets range from very mild to potentially very serious, such as a slight fever or diarrhea to birth defects or even death. Over thirty human illnesses can be acquired from pets. However, despite the frequency of contact between pets and children, most pet-associated illnesses are infrequent. They are also preventable. But for good prevention, we need a knowledge of the patterns of transmission and appropriate prevention measures.

For several reasons, children are especially susceptible to pet-associated illnesses. Children are more likely to experience the symptoms of these illnesses and the symptoms are more likely to become severe. Why are children more likely to catch pet-associated illnesses? Because they:

• Love to handle animals.

• Love to put their hands and fingers in their mouths.

• Are less aware of proper personal hygiene practices.

• Are less aware of proper ways to handle animals.

Why are children more likely to suffer severe symptoms of pet-associated illnesses? Because they:

• Have developed fewer antibodies than adults to fight the disease.

• Dehydrate more easily while experiencing intestinal problems.

• Have a smaller nutrient and fat reserve on which to keep their bodies going.

In addition to being more at risk for catching pet-associated illnesses, children as a group have the highest incidence of bite wounds. Surprisingly, of these bites, more are attributed to "friendly dogs."

With the ownership of a pet comes the responsibility for proper health care and supervision. Routine care is as important a part of total health care as is care of a sick animal. Routine care includes regular pet examinations, feces analysis, and vaccinations by a veterinarian. If illness is suspected, the owner must seek prompt diagnosis and treatment for the animal.

Unfortunately, most animals who are carrying an infectious bug don't look sick. Many show no symptoms at all. Because of this, we cannot simply identify a diseased pet, have it treated, and meanwhile keep everyone away from it. We need to understand how pet-associated illnesses are transmitted to humans and how to prevent this transmission.

Pet illnesses are caused by a variety of organisms including bacteria, viruses, fungi, intestinal parasites, fleas, ticks, larvae, and worms. Transmissions of any of these organisms to humans usually requires close contact with animals or their excretions (feces, urine, or saliva). A few can be carried in the air and enter the system without the person actually handling the pet. Many of these organisms, if conditions are favorable, can remain alive for months in the air, in the soil, or on various surfaces in a home.

Baby animals are more susceptible to illnesses, just as children are. Therefore kittens, puppies, and other baby animals are more likely to be diseased or be disease carriers than adult animals.

Transmission to humans will most commonly occur when a person is:

• Bitten or scratched.

• Comes in contact with pet feces or urine, or water contaminated with these.

• Comes in contact with animal carcasses, hides, or farm animals.

• Handles pet dishes, brushes, bedding, etc.

• Kisses, licks, or exchanges food by mouth with a pet.

• Breathes bird cage dust.

From the January, 1996, issue of The Teddy Bear.