The Hygiene Council’s initial aim was to revisit current hygiene practices in order to offer realistic recommendations to the public on the importance of hygiene in the home and community.

At their inaugural meeting, the Hygiene Council discussed aspects of hygiene practice in both developed and developing nations, measures of prevention and control of avian and pandemic influenza, hygiene measures in the home, the role of disinfectants, and protection from micro-organisms.

If programmes to prevent infection are to be effective it is essential to identify those activities where the risk of picking up an infection is high. While behavioural changes occur over time, the Council recognise the need to offer recommendations on good hygiene practice now and for the future.