What is the importance of hand washing?
Effective and timely hand washing is a valuable way to help fight the spread of disease. Hand washing removes visible dirt from hands and helps loosen and reduce the number of harmful microorganisms (germs). The U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) identify five home situations where contaminated hands can transmit microorganisms: • from hands to food, especially if hands are not washed properly after using the toilet • from an infected infant to hands to other children when diapers are changed • from raw foods to hands can contaminate other foods • from nose, mouth or eyes to hands to other people can spread colds and other infectious diseases • from food to hands to infants Hand washing can help prevent the transfer of microorganisms in all these situations. Harmful bacteria and viruses such as Campylobacter, hepatitis A, Shigella, E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella can be carried by people, animals or equipment and transmitted to the food we eat. Wash your hands before fixing or eatin
