A woman who contacted The Gippsland Times said she and her elderly mother had come down with gastroenteritis, which she believed they picked up at the recent Police Band concert in Sale.

"My mother came down with it the next day,'' the woman said.

"We live in Seaspray, so it's the only place she's been in contact with other people.''

The woman said she was concerned for the welfare of other local elderly people if there had been a gastro outbreak.

"I'm just concerned because there were 600 elderly people at that concert hall, so how many of them could have gone home with (gastro)?

"Luckily my mother only had a light bout, but I also came down with it.

"I've lost four kilograms since Saturday.''

The woman said she had heard of a number of gastro cases in Sale and was concerned the affect it could have on elderly people.

"There was no `I don't feel well' warning,'' she said.

"I'm worried because if it hit me so hard, it could be really dangerous for the elderly.

"People need to be aware that this is happening.''

Director of nursing at Central Gippsland Health Service Sale Bronwyn Beadle confirmed there had been an outbreak of gastro at Wilson Lodge, Stretton Park in Maffra, Sale Elderly Citizens Village as well as in Heyfield.

"It (gastro) is actually right across the community at the moment,'' she said.

"It's rife across the community.''

See Tuesday's Gippsland Times for more information from CGHS.

According to the Department of Human Services, gastroenteritis can be spread by person to person contact or by touching contaminated surfaces.

It can also be spread by eating contaminated food or drinking contaminated water.

To avoid the spread of gastroenteritis, DHS suggests washing hands often and thoroughly with soap and warm running water for at least 15 seconds.

People who believe they have gastroenteritis should seek medical advice.

For more information visit the website www.dhs.vic.gov.au