Kids can catch harmful bacteria by:

• Eating food that contains harmful bacteria (including un-pasteurised milk). Harmful bacteria can contaminate food whether it is manufactured, prepared at home, at school, or at the local supermarket, take away or restaurant.
• Drinking water that contains harmful bacteria.
• Handling pets and other animals that have harmful bacteria in or on them.
• Contact with another person with gastro. This is through personal contact, contact with the faeces (poo) of an infected person, or by touching contaminated surfaces such as taps, toilet flush handles, children's toys and nappies.

Your child may be at greater risk of catching harmful bacteria on holiday (especially overseas) through eating or drinking contaminated food or water.

How can food and water become contaminated?

People with gastro can contaminate food when they do not wash their hands properly after going to the toilet and before handling food.

Harmful bacteria are often present in raw foods such as meats, chicken and eggs. This bacteria can be spread when these foods are not prepared (e.g., chopping boards not washed properly), handled (e.g. hands are not washed properly) or stored (e.g. food not refrigerated) properly.

Insects, rodents or other animals can carry harmful bacteria. They can spread these bacteria if they enter areas where food is prepared.

Faeces (poo) from humans or animals can pollute creeks, rivers, lakes and dams.

People with gastro can contaminate food when they do not wash their hands properly after going to the toilet and before handling food.

How common is it?