At least 230 people fall ill after disease spread by faeces hits music festival

Health officials are warning attendees at a popular festival to improve their hygiene.

A contagious disease which is spread through faeces has run riot among the attendees of the Esoteric Festival in Victoria, Australia, earlier this month (March 8-12).

Shigellosis (Shigella) is a bowel infection which is often spread by coming into contact with infected faeces. It can be spread by touching your mouth after getting the bacteria on your hands, or sexually by oral-anal contact.

At least 230 Esoteric Festival attendees have already reported experiencing symptoms so far – and it’s been warned that the infection is proving to be resistant to first-line antibiotics, making it difficult to treat.

Health authorities in the Australian state are warning festival attendees to get tested immediately if they develop gastro-like symptoms.

Victoria’s Acting Chief Health Officer, Ben Cowie, told Sky News Australia the bowel infection is highly contagious and mainly transmitted through the faecal-oral route, or contaminated food.

Dr Cowie added: ‘Symptoms may include diarrhoea, abdominal cramps, nausea and vomiting.

‘Symptoms usually develop one to three days following exposure but can occur as early as 12 hours to as late as one week afterwards in some cases.’

And the bacteria can keep spreading via faeces for up to a month after symptoms fade.

People with symptoms are urged to practice safer sex, maintain good hygiene, practice handwashing, and avoid preparing food for others.

Shigella often comes with serious diarrhoea that contains pus or blood as well as a fever, nausea, vomiting and abdominal cramps.

Dr Cowie said it was important those with symptoms kept their fluids up and practise good hygiene, adding: ‘Make sure you’re getting plenty of fluids and keeping hydrated – antibiotic treatment is only required in the case of severe infection.

‘Good hygiene can prevent the spread of shigella gastroenteritis.

‘Wash your hands often and thoroughly, especially after using the toilet and before eating or preparing food.’

Esoteric Festival is described as ‘a psychedelic music, arts and lifestyle gathering’ held on Australia’s Labor Day weekend in the small town of Donald, about 190 miles north west of Melbourne.

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