Arizona State Fair Removed Petting Zoo After E. coli
Fairgoers can no longer touch animals in the Agriculture Center following an outbreak last year.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Large Animals
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The Arizona State Fair opened this month without its traditional petting zoo after a lawsuit linked animal contact to E. coli infections in 18 people. Families visiting the fairgrounds should note that direct human-to-animal contact is now strictly prohibited.
Why it matters
The change follows a lawsuit filed in August 2026 after 18 children were infected with E. coli in 2025. By eliminating the petting zoo and limiting animal access, organizers are aiming to curb the health risks associated with close contact between visitors and livestock.
Last year, 18 people contracted E. coli following contact with the petting zoo, including one case involving 30 minutes of direct interaction. The fair, which runs through November 1, has now banned all human-to-animal contact in the Agriculture Center.
The players
Arizona State Fair
An annual public event hosted at the Arizona State Fairgrounds that recently overhauled its animal interaction policies.
Maricopa County Department of Public Health
The local agency responsible for investigating the 2025 outbreak and monitoring sanitary conditions at the fair.
Elizabeth Felix
The plaintiff who filed a lawsuit in August 2026 following E. coli infections.
The details
To prevent future bacterial transmission, fair officials have prohibited all touching of animals housed in the Agriculture Center. Additionally, the fair implemented a ban on strollers and wagons inside the animal barns to reduce the risk of cross-contamination. Guests are instead encouraged to use the hand-washing stations installed at all agriculture center entrances.
Timeline
2025: Children contracted E. coli after visiting the petting zoo.
August 2026: Elizabeth Felix filed a lawsuit against the fair.
October 2026: The Arizona State Fair opened to the public.
November 1, 2026: The fair concludes its annual run.
The Home Front
This policy shift mirrors a growing trend in public event management where organizers are strictly limiting animal interactions to reduce liability and health risks. It follows the pattern set by the 2025 Arizona State Fair E. coli outbreak, which effectively ended traditional petting zoo models in the area.
If you plan to attend the fair, ensure your children wash their hands thoroughly at the provided stations before eating or leaving the barns. While petting is no longer allowed, parents should continue to supervise young children closely to ensure they maintain distance from all livestock.
The takeaway
Large public events are increasingly prioritizing sanitary barriers over direct animal interaction following health outbreaks. Families should prioritize thorough handwashing after any visit to agricultural spaces, regardless of whether direct animal contact occurred.
What happens next
The Arizona State Fair will operate under these updated safety protocols until it concludes on November 1, 2026.
Further reading
For more on staying safe when visiting farm exhibits, see our guide on Large Animals.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KJZZ.
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