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03/05/2023
PHA Highlight Importance Of Hand Hygiene As Summer Approaches
People are being reminded of the need to clean their hands "thoroughly and regularly" while on days out with family and friends.
The Public Health Agency (PHA) issued the reminder ahead of the World Health Organisation's (WHO) World Hand Hygiene Day on 05 May, which aims to highlight the importance of hand hygiene in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Nurse Consultant Health Protection at the PHA, Alison Griffiths, pointed out that while open farms and swimming pools can be great days out it is "important to practise good personal hygiene at the appropriate times when visiting these places".
She continued: "All animals naturally carry a range of organisms, some of which can be transmitted to children and adults and can potentially cause severe infection, particularly in young children. For example, E. coli O157 is easily passed from animals to children, can spread easily within the household and may cause severe infection in young children.
"Cryptosporidium is another organism which causes an infection of the gastrointestinal tract. Symptoms include vomiting, abdominal cramps and watery diarrhoea. Cryptosporidium is a leading cause of infectious diarrhoea in humans in the UK and can occur through contaminated recreational waters, including swimming pools."
To reduce the risk of illness, all adults and children should follow some simple steps to ensure a fun day out –
Advice for swimmers:
• Don't swim when you have diarrhoea or have had diarrhoea within the past 48 hours.
• Don't swim for 14 days after being diagnosed with Cryptosporidiosis.
• Take a shower before swimming and wash your hands after using the toilet or changing nappies.
• Please ensure that babies and children wear purpose-made swimming nappies and take your child on bathroom breaks.
• Do not swallow water.
Advice for visits to the farm:
• Wash hands thoroughly using soap and water and dry thoroughly with paper towels after handling animals or touching surfaces at the farm;
• Hands should always be washed before eating or drinking and after using the toilet;
• Antibacterial hand gels and wipes are not a substitute for washing hands, as gels and wipes may not adequately remove germs and bugs in the way that running water can. However, using such gels after hand washing with soap and water may reduce the risk of picking up these infections.
"A responsible adult should always supervise children's personal hygiene to make sure it is carried out properly. By being aware and by taking some simple steps, we can all help to avoid illness and enjoy a fun day out," concluded Alison Griffiths.
The Public Health Agency (PHA) issued the reminder ahead of the World Health Organisation's (WHO) World Hand Hygiene Day on 05 May, which aims to highlight the importance of hand hygiene in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Nurse Consultant Health Protection at the PHA, Alison Griffiths, pointed out that while open farms and swimming pools can be great days out it is "important to practise good personal hygiene at the appropriate times when visiting these places".
She continued: "All animals naturally carry a range of organisms, some of which can be transmitted to children and adults and can potentially cause severe infection, particularly in young children. For example, E. coli O157 is easily passed from animals to children, can spread easily within the household and may cause severe infection in young children.
"Cryptosporidium is another organism which causes an infection of the gastrointestinal tract. Symptoms include vomiting, abdominal cramps and watery diarrhoea. Cryptosporidium is a leading cause of infectious diarrhoea in humans in the UK and can occur through contaminated recreational waters, including swimming pools."
To reduce the risk of illness, all adults and children should follow some simple steps to ensure a fun day out –
Advice for swimmers:
• Don't swim when you have diarrhoea or have had diarrhoea within the past 48 hours.
• Don't swim for 14 days after being diagnosed with Cryptosporidiosis.
• Take a shower before swimming and wash your hands after using the toilet or changing nappies.
• Please ensure that babies and children wear purpose-made swimming nappies and take your child on bathroom breaks.
• Do not swallow water.
Advice for visits to the farm:
• Wash hands thoroughly using soap and water and dry thoroughly with paper towels after handling animals or touching surfaces at the farm;
• Hands should always be washed before eating or drinking and after using the toilet;
• Antibacterial hand gels and wipes are not a substitute for washing hands, as gels and wipes may not adequately remove germs and bugs in the way that running water can. However, using such gels after hand washing with soap and water may reduce the risk of picking up these infections.
"A responsible adult should always supervise children's personal hygiene to make sure it is carried out properly. By being aware and by taking some simple steps, we can all help to avoid illness and enjoy a fun day out," concluded Alison Griffiths.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A very mild, but mostly cloudy day, although with some bright or sunny spells. It will be mostly dry in the morning, but a little patchy light rain or drizzle at times in the afternoon. Maximum temperature 14 °C.Tonight:A band of heavier rain will move east during the evening before clearing eastwards after midnight. then mostly dry through the early hours, but a little rain towards dawn. Minimum temperature 8 °C.
