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American Society for Microbiology Emphasizes Hand
Hygiene as Flu Protective Measure
WASHINGTON, May 1, 2009 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- As H1N1
influenza A (swine flu) spreads, keeping hands clean is one of
the most important ways to prevent infection and illness.
"Frequent handwashing is probably the single most effective and
simplest intervention you can do to protect yourself and your
family," according to Dr. Judy Daly, spokesperson for the
American Society for Microbiology.
"Influenza A viruses, of which swine flu is one, are fragile
viruses that can be easily destroyed through proper hygiene,
including use of soap and water and alcohol-based hand
sanitizers," says Daly, Director of the Clinical Microbiology
Laboratories, Primary Children's Medical Center, Salt Lake City.
Washing hands with soap and clean water for 20 seconds is a
sensible strategy for hand hygiene in non-healthcare settings
and is recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention and other experts. If soap and clean water are not
available, an alcohol-based hand sanitizer is recommended.
Research* has shown that flu viruses can survive up to 48
hours on hard, nonporous surfaces and up to 12 hours on cloth,
paper, and tissues. Measurable quantities of influenza A viruses
can be transferred from stainless steel surfaces to hands for up
to 24 hours and from tissues to hands for up to 15 minutes.
Virus can survive on hands for up to 5 minutes after transfer
from environmental surfaces.
"Flu viruses most frequently enter the body when contaminated
hands touch mucous membranes of the nose, eyes, and mouth.
Frequent hand hygiene certainly makes this transfer less
likely," says Daly.
The American Society for Microbiology has downloadable
educational hand hygiene materials, including posters and
brochures for children and adults, available at www.washup.org.
The site also contains information on ordering printed
materials.
The CDC maintains a comprehensive website about swine flu
that is updated daily, www.cdc.gov/swineflu/, with many
resources.
*Bean, B. et al. Survival of influenza viruses on
environmental surfaces. J Infect Dise. 1982 Jul;146(1):47-51
The American Society for Microbiology, headquartered in
Washington, D.C., is the largest single life science
association, with 42,000 members worldwide. Its members work in
educational, research, industrial, and government settings on
issues such as the environment, the prevention and treatment of
infectious diseases, laboratory and diagnostic medicine, and
food and water safety. The ASM's mission is to gain a better
understanding of basic life processes and to promote the
application of this knowledge for improved health and economic
and environmental well-being.
Source: American Society for
Microbiology
CONTACT: Barbara Hyde of American Society for Microbiology,
+1-202-942-9206,
bhyde@asmusa.org
Web Site:
http://www.washup.org/
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