HealthDay News) -- Schools often have classroom pets, such as hamsters, fish or frogs. Caring for those animals can be a great learning experience for kids.
But exposure to animals does have some risk, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says.
Young children are still developing an immune system, so they are more likely to get sick after handling an animal.
The CDC suggests how to reduce your child's risk:
- Always wash hands with water and soap right after touching animals, their food or their habitats.
- Disinfect areas where animals have been.
- Supervise handwashing for young children.
- Use hand sanitizer if running water and soap are not available.
- Tanks, feeders, water containers and other equipment should not be cleaned in sinks where food is prepared, served or eaten.
