Signs going up at NC State Fair amidst concerns over Ebola scare, 2011 E. coli outbreak
RALEIGH (WTVD) -- Gates at the State Fair will open Thursday, but the Ebola scare and the deadly E. coli outbreak in North Carolina a few years ago is raising some concerns about health safety.
Fair officials say Ebola is on their minds. Staff, though, will not be screening folks as they come in and inquire about recent travel.
It is also the beginning of flu season and the 2011 E. coli outbreak at the fair is still fresh in many people's minds.
Hand washing stations have been placed in an effort to keep the public safe. There are ten stations throughout the fair and officials are urging fairgoers to take advantage.
"You want to make sure the souvenirs and the pleasant memories are what people take home. That they don't pick up something here at the fair that they take home with them as well," said State Fair Spokesperson Brian Long.
That E. coli outbreak happened at a petting zoo, which won't be back for the second straight year. The majority of hand washing stations out are located by livestock, which can be disease carriers.
"We looked at the practical things we could do that would further minimize risk," said Long.
A few food vendors are also taking it upon themselves to help minimize the risk of disease spread. Some have hand sanitizes for fairgoers, in case they can't find or get to a hand washing station.
"We use it every year. Every year we have it," said vendor owner Beth Tapp. "They (fairgoers) should take those measures. A quick shot here or at the bathrooms in between rides."
Vendors are not mandated to put out hand sanitizer.
