Preventing the spread of food and water borne diseases

To avoid passing on a disease you should wash your hands with soapy water for 20 seconds, then dry well with a clean cloth or paper towel every time:

• before and after preparing food
• after going to the toilet or changing a nappy
• after caring for people who are ill
• after playing or working with animals.

Clean areas and surfaces, including toys, that may have become contaminated with a suitable cleaning solution.

Cleaning tips

• Clean food areas first, then play areas, and clean bathrooms last.
• Use different coloured cloths to clean each area such as food areas, play areas, sinks and toilets.
• Soak cleaning cloths in sanitiser after use, followed by a hot water wash, then dry.
• Clean food areas before play areas, and clean bathrooms last.
• Use different mops in food areas, play areas and bathrooms.
• Wash mops after they have been used, pour boiling water over them and dry in the sun. Never leave them soaking in water or disinfectant.
• Wash hands after cleaning.

• Thaw meat in the fridge and not at room temperature.
• Keep raw meat covered and separate from other foods, and store at the bottom of the fridge.
• Use separate chopping boards when preparing raw foods and cooked foods, or wash the board in hot soapy water between preparing raw and cooked foods.
• Cook chicken thoroughly until the juices are clear.
• Cook all minced meat patties and sausages thoroughly.
• Avoid drinking raw milk and raw milk products
• Avoid eating shellfish which has been gathered from contaminated waters
• Wash fruit and vegetables before use.

If you have a food or water borne disease, avoid preparing food for other people. If you must do so, wash and dry your hands well first.

Avoid drinking water that has not been treated — including water from lakes, rivers or streams, or from an area where you do not know the quality of source water.

If in doubt, make the water safe by boiling it or by installing an appropriate disinfection or filtration (treatment) unit. The performance of the treatment unit should meet the standard AS/NZS4348:1995.

If you have to drink untreated water that is taken from a roof, river or lake (for example, in a rural area), it should be boiled for one minute or put through an appropriate treatment unit.

Water collection tanks and safe household water — HealthEd (external link)

Do not go swimming in a pool if you have runny poos (diarrhoea). You need to wait at least 2 weeks after the symptoms have gone.

Check if lakes, seas and rivers are safe to go in before you head out.

Can I swim here? — Land Air Water Aotearoa (external link)

If you or a tamaiti are unwell do not share bathwater, as this can easily transmit infection.