Dear Editor,
The Southwest Utah Public Health Department recently confirmed that “livestock to human transmission” was the cause of the Hildale/Colorado City E. coli outbreak that claimed the lives of two children and sickened at least 10 others. I’m not surprised. Most E. coli outbreaks can be traced back to farmed animals.
A 3-year-old girl recently died from an E. coli infection after visiting a petting zoo in Minnesota. Her 5-year-old brother is still fighting for his life.
E. coli bacteria live in the intestinal tracts and feces of warm-blooded animals. Plant-based foods can only become contaminated when animal manure is used to fertilize crops or leaks into waterways. Cross-contamination can also occur when produce is placed on the same surface as meat, or when someone doesn’t practice proper hygiene when handling food or when going to petting zoos or other animal exhibits.
People can reduce their families’ chances of contracting the potentially fatal bacterium by going vegan and staying away from petting zoos. For more information and a free vegan starter kit, see www.PETA.org.
Sincerely,
Heather Moore
The PETA Foundation
501 Front St.
Norfolk, VA 23510
