What do cat poo and swimming pools have in common? Both can give you nasty parasitic infections.

Find out how to avoid them with the Food Safety Information Council, who are raising awareness of parasitic infections this Science Week.

Parasite infections such as Toxoplasma gondii and Cryptosporidiosis are increasing in Australia.  

One common way people get an infection of Toxoplasma gondii is via cats, though it can also occur through eating raw or rare sheep, pork, kangaroo or game meat, as well as offal such as heart, liver, and tongue, or duck and goose paté.

Cryptosporidiosis is caused by microscopic parasites in the faeces of infected domestic animals, farm animals and humans. It’s spread by swimming in contaminated water, through contact with an infected person, or by drinking unpasteurised milk or dairy products. The parasite cysts (eggs) are not killed by chlorine.

Find out how to avoid infection and keep you and your family safe!