Experts say the results of a survey of global awareness and hygiene practices show that too many people are ignoring basic hygiene practices in the home and are therefore exposing themselves unnecessarily to the risk of infection.

Though two thirds (67%) of Britons claim to have become more aware of the importance of hygiene over the last few years, there is still a need to educate the general public to ensure that awareness translates into good hygiene practice.

This follows the release of the results of a global survey of more than 10,000 people in 10 countries commissioned by the Hygiene Council.

The Hygiene Council met for the second time in February 2007 where their commitment to targeting the general public, as part of a drive towards communicable infection prevention through hygiene, was reasserted. The Council reviewed scientific evidence which confirms that good hygiene practice is directly linked to a reduction in the incidence of illness and infection, and is a key component in fighting the spread of today’s serious infections. Thorough and timely hand washing, targeted surface disinfection and laundry sanitisation are key measures that all individuals should use to help reduce the spread of infections in the home and the community.

“Scientific evidence shows that simple, good hygiene practices can reduce the risk of illness and infection at home and in the community, so we must protect ourselves by putting these measures into practice,” commented Professor John Oxford, Chairman of the Hygiene Council and Professor of Virology at St Bartholomew’s and the Royal London Hospital, Queen Mary’s School of Medicine and Dentistry.

The Hygiene Council has agreed on a set of recommendations for use by the public. Download your copy of Hygiene Matters for the latest recommendations.

The Hygiene Council is an initiative bringing together leading global experts in the field of microbiology, virology, infectious diseases, immunology, and public health. The aim is to revisit current hygiene practices

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.

The work of The Hygiene Council and The Hygiene for the 21st Century
initiative is funded through an educational grant from Reckitt Benckiser.

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