Kids absolutely love to interact with animals, which is why zoos and pet shops are such popular childrens attractions. Unfortunately, many animals also carry and transmit diseases, as a lawsuit involving snake handling and salmonella illustrates.
Two-year-old (at the time) Trevor Wirtz was hospitalized for salmonellosis two years ago, allegedly contracted from a snake he touched at Serpent Safari in Gurnee (Tribune). His caregiver and grandmother, Judith Penoyer, also contracted the disease, according to the complaint.
Serpent Safari (Excitations.com) is a reptile zoo in Gurnee Mills Mall that lets people handle friendly snakes, in addition to safely viewing alligators, crocodiles and other not-so-friendly critters behind glass. Most petting zoos provide warnings about the possibility of disease transmission, along with hand-washing and hand-sanitizing stations.
This place didn't, according to the complaint, cited by the Tribune article:
"The business also failed to provide warnings regarding the risk of contracting salmonella from reptiles for children younger than 5, as well as the risk to people with weakened immune systems, the lawsuit states."
Now Wirtz's parents are claiming damages in excess of $50,000 for medical expenses in their negligence lawsuit against the reptile zoo. Both Wirtz and his grandmother recovered from their illness, which typically causes diarrhea, fever and other flu-like symptoms. Wirtz's Illinois injury attorney advised against her speaking to the press.
Salmonella most often is contracted from contaminated food, especially raw eggs from factory farms and undercooked chicken. Outbreaks of salmonella from spinach and other vegetables have been linked to runoff from egg and meat production facilities.
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Salmonellosis FAQ (US Centers for Disease Control)
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Types of Food Poisoning: Salmonella (FindLaw)
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Chicago Injury Lawyers (FindLaw)
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