South Australian health officials are warning residents to take precautions and abstain from contact with animals after three children became sick with bacterial infections after visiting the Royal Adelaide Show. Reports show that all of the children, aged between 4 and 12 years, were in contact with farm animals at the show's animal nursery.

Two of the children were infected with Shiga-E.coli (STEC). The third child, who is in a serious but stable condition, was infected with the more serious Haemolytic Uraemic Syndrome (HUS). STEC symptoms include simple or bloody diarrhoea and abdominal cramping, but have little or no fever; however, STEC can develop into HUS, which can lead to neurological damage and kidney disease.

STEC, which is often found in animal faeces, can be contracted through contact with farm animals, by eating meats that are not properly cooked, or by eating vegetables that have been exposed to animal faeces. The general incubation period for STEC infection ranges from 3 to 8 days, but can be longer in some cases.

Health authorities are warning parents to take important precautions, such as washing hands after being in contact with any animal, and by ensuring that all meat products are stored and refrigerated appropriately and cooked thoroughly.