<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Pill testing gets the headlines, but new research has revealed far more common hidden health risks for musical festival attendees.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Public health experts at Flinders University looked at emergencies at 19 multi-day events attended mostly by young people, including music festivals, cultural celebrations, sports events, and religious gatherings.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0033350625004354?via%3Dihub" rel="" target="_blank" title="The global study"><span>The global study</span></a><span> found that nearly 70 per cent of reported emergencies at these events were infectious disease outbreaks, with influenza, measles, and meningococcal at the top of the list.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/australias-most-trusted-distrusted-brands-revealed-bunnings-temu-big-banks-supermarkets/89b18750-26d7-461d-82bb-ffa86b0d06d5" target="_blank"><strong><span>Big movers in Australia's most trusted, distrusted brands</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Additionally, food-borne illnesses such as hepatitis A, which can cause serious live infection, accounted for more than 20 per cent of the emergencies, suggesting poor food handling practices were common.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Flinders University epidemiologist and lead study author Associate Professor Jacqueline Stephens, said the findings highlighted the importance of active health planning for these events, as well as of vaccinations and hygiene for attendees.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Young people love the energy and freedom of festivals, but these environments do carry health risks," she said.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/music-festival-health-risks-food-preparation-poisoning/e31027c5-7ec6-4a88-be04-5ed5625be751" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/exclusive-carol-and-robert-gould-legal-fight-after-injury-results-in-thumb-amputation/bf5ff8a4-3487-4ec8-8e56-e2f2e612edb3" target="_blank"><strong><span>Robert's thumb was amputated 14 years ago. It sparked a legal nightmare</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Close social interactions, shared accommodation, and sometimes risky behaviours create the perfect storm for disease transmission.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Simple measures like vaccination, good hygiene, and safe food practices can make a huge difference in safeguarding against the risks."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The review also revealed that outbreaks were often detected through routine surveillance or on-site medical teams, underscoring the need for strong health systems and rapid response capabilities.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/trump-tells-somali-immigrants-to-return-home/de6078d7-1eb8-4c34-98f8-82db32af382b" target="_blank"><strong><span>Trump tells Somali migrants he doesn't want them in US</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Recommendations included setting up on-site clinics, ensuring surge capacity in local hospitals, and implementing clear communication protocols for emergencies.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Public health researcher and co-author Dr Josh Trigg said festival-goers themselves play a vital role in staying safe.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"If you're heading to a multi-day event, check your vaccinations, wash your hands regularly, and be mindful about what you eat and drink," he said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Public health isn't just about big systems - it's about individual choices that protect you and the people around you."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>While organisers needed to enforce strict hygiene protocols for food providers and handlers, with past outbreaks of disease being traced to contaminated coleslaw, undercooked meat, and even food workers battling infections.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Festivals are a highlight of the year for many young people," Trigg said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"By planning ahead and following simple precautions, we can keep them safe, fun, and memorable."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/how-to-follow-9news-digital/29855bb1-ad3d-4c38-bc25-3cb52af1216f" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP</span></em></strong></a><strong><em><span>: Stay across all the latest in breaking news, sport, politics and the weather via our news app and get notifications sent straight to your smartphone. 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