Girl Dies After Victorian Petting Zoo Visit, Parents Warned

A Victorian petting zoo is under investigation after a three-year-old girl died following a visit to the property, with health authorities examining a link to a potentially life-threatening bacterial infection spread through contact with farm animals.

The child visited Rain, Hail and Shine Children's Farm at Balnaring in July and subsequently contracted haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS), a serious condition that can develop after exposure to certain bacteria found in animal faeces. Despite six weeks of intensive care, her family confirmed her death, saying they had lost their "darling girl."

HUS can cause kidney failure and, in severe cases, neurological damage or death. It is most commonly associated with E. coli infections, which can be transmitted through contact with livestock or contaminated environments.

A second family has now come forward with their own frightening experience at the same farm. Brooke Snooks visited the property two months before the girl's death with her young son Noah. He also contracted HUS and went into kidney failure before recovering.

"We actually didn't know at the time that it could have been something that could affect his brain for life, or even in the worst case scenario, could be death," Ms Snooks said. While she stops short of blaming the farm, she believes parents deserve to know its name so they can make their own informed decisions. "Some people might be completely fine to go again, or some people might choose that it's not worth the risk for them," she said.

The state health department investigated the property and directed improvements, with the farm's owner indicating hygiene measures — particularly handwashing facilities — were upgraded as a result. "We put some new hand washers in," the owner told reporters, while acknowledging uncertainty about what more could be done.

Because HUS can be contracted through multiple routes, authorities have stopped short of definitively linking both cases to the farm. However, the owner expressed clear regret. "I don't want it to happen again," they said, urging parents simply to "look after your kids."

The farm has operated for several decades and says this is the only time it has been connected to this type of illness. The owners extended their condolences to the girl's family.

Parents taking children to petting zoos and farm experiences are advised to ensure thorough handwashing immediately after any contact with animals, and to seek medical attention if children develop symptoms including vomiting, diarrhoea or reduced urination in the days following a visit.