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Food and water-borne diseases

Campylobacter

Campylobacter is a water and foodborne illness caused by bacteria. It is a common cause of tummy upsets (gastroenteritis). If you eat food or water that has campylobacter in it you can become unwell with diarrhoea and stomach pains.

Ciguatera fish poisoning

Ciguatera fish poisoning is an illness caused by eating fish containing toxins from a certain type of algae.

Cryptosporidium

A parasite found in the gut of infected people and animals. People become infected when they swallow the parasites.

E. coli

Most types of E. coli are harmless. But some can cause diarrhoea (gastroenteritis).

Gastroenteritis

Gastroenteritis is a term used to describe the combination of diarrhoea, nausea (with or without vomiting), stomach pain and fever. Gastroenteritis is usually caused by an infection in the stomach and intestines. It is highly infectious, and large numbers of people can be affected in a short amount of time.

Giardia

A parasite (living thing) found in the guts of people and animals such as cattle, sheep, cats and dogs. It is also found in infected water such as lakes and streams.

Hepatitis A

An infectious liver disease caused by a virus. It is more common in developing countries. Some travellers need a vaccine.

Listeriosis

A food-borne bacteria that can make you sick. Usually causes few or no symptoms. But some people are more at risk of severe disease.

Norovirus

A virus that causes gastroenteritis. It is very infectious.

Paratyphoid fever

Paratyphoid fever, also known as enteric fever, is a bacterial infection that can spread throughout the body and is easy to pass on to others. It is relatively rare in Aotearoa New Zealand. Most cases are in people returning from overseas. Paratyphoid is usually mild. Serious cases may require hospitalisation.

Preventing the spread of food and water borne diseases

Here are some things you can do to prevent getting or passing on food and water borne diseases, such as campylobacter, E. coli or salmonella.

Salmonella

Salmonella infection is a type of food poisoning that can cause runny poos (diarrhoea) and stomach cramps. Salmonella is caused by bacteria which live in the intestines of people, birds, and animals. When a person, bird, or animal is infected they pass the bacteria out in their poo (faeces). This can then contaminate food, drinking water and make you sick if you swallow or drink it.

Shigellosis

Shigellosis can cause runny poos (diarrhoea) and stomach cramps. It is caused by the shigella bacteria. You can get it from contaminated food or drinking water. Shigellosis is often caught overseas, but some cases and outbreaks do happen in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Typhoid fever

A bacterial infection that can make you very ill. Typhoid is relatively rare in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Vibrio parahaemolyticus gastroenteritis (vibrio)

Vibrio parahaemolyticus is a bacteria that causes gastroenteritis. Common symptoms can include runny poos (diarrhoea), fever and feeling sick (nausea). You are most likely to catch it from eating raw seafood that has been contaminated or not stored at the proper temperature.

Yersinia

Yersiniosis is a bacterial infection that can cause acute stomach illness. It is rare in Aotearoa New Zealand. Yersiniosis is not usually serious and most people recover quickly. It is caused by infection with 'Yersinia pseudotuberculosis' or 'Yersinia enterocolitica'.