Hand hygiene is a critical prevention method for COVID-19 and other diseases. Consumers still need to work on making hand hygiene more important. Learn more in the CDC Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
Tag: Handwashing
Coronavirus and Food Safety
A novel coronavirus is a new coronavirus that has not been previously identified. The virus causing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), is not the same as the coronaviruses that commonly circulate among humans and cause mild illness, like the common cold.
Can a person become sick with COVD-19 from food? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention “We are not aware of any reports at this time of human illnesses that suggest COVID-19 can be transmitted by food or food packaging. However, it is always important to follow good hygiene practices (i.e., wash hands and surfaces often, separate raw meat from other foods, cook to the right temperature, and refrigerate foods promptly) when handling or preparing foods.”
Handwashing is important in every day life. This includes:
- Food preparation and eating
- Caring for someone who is sick
- After using the bathroom or changing a diaper
- After blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing
- Touching animals, pet waste, pet food
- After handling garbage.
Hand sanitizers can be effective, but not if your hands are visibly dirty. Learn more at www.cdc.gov/handwashing/.
Campylobacter Linked to Puppies
I confess. I love puppies! How can you resist those cute fuzzy faces! Unfortunately, puppies are currently linked to an outbreak of Campylobacter in seven states affecting 39 people, including Kansas. This is not puppy love.
It is a fact, animals carry germs. This outbreak is traced back to puppies sold at Petland stores. The suspected source of the bacteria is dog feces. Symptoms of Campylobacter include diarrhea (bloody), fever, stomach cramps, nausea, and vomiting. Symptoms develop in two to fives days after exposure and last about a week.
When puppy shopping, look for shiny, soft, clean fur. The puppy should be bright, alert, and playful. Always take the puppy to your veterinarian for a check-up as soon as possible. If the puppy is sluggish, not eating, or has abnormal breathing, see your veterinarian.
Always wash your hands after handling any animal, their food, or cleaning up after them. This important step will help stop the transfer of disease to you.
Learn more at https://www.cdc.gov/campylobacter/outbreaks/puppies-9-17/index.html.
“Our Hands, Our Future!”
October 15 is designated as Global Handwashing Day. The theme, Our Hands, Our Future, is a reminder that handwashing protects your health and other life aspects.
This simple practice should be a habit as it is the most effective and inexpensive way to protect your health.
To help promote handwashing, there are many resources from the American Cleaning Institute at http://bit.ly/2w8cTRJ and www.fightbac.org/.
“Even in the United States, where soap is plentiful, handwashing doesn’t happen as often as it should.”