During which conditions might petting zoos increase the risk of contamination?

Petting zoos can pose a heightened risk of contamination during pandemics due to the potential for zoonotic disease transmission and the close interactions between visitors and animals. During these times, there may be an increase in concerns related to the spread of infectious diseases, particularly those that can be transmitted from animals to humans. This risk is compounded if proper hygiene practices and protocols are not strictly followed, as people may be less vigilant about cleanliness and social distancing measures.

In contrast, while the summer season can involve higher visitor traffic, increased outdoor activities, and more interaction with animals, it does not inherently carry the same direct risk associated with disease transmission that a pandemic would. Maintenance activities might involve cleaning or managing the environment of the animals, which could temporarily elevate contamination risk but typically are controlled for safety. When animals are resting, the interaction level is generally lower, which might not significantly contribute to the overall risk of contamination. Hence, the context of a pandemic clearly elevates the risk in a petting zoo setting.