Sunday, May 5 was World Hand Hygiene Day and public health officials are using the day to remind residents of the true importance of washing their hands. A lot has changed in the medical field with the development of vaccines and antibiotics, but Carroll County Public Health Director, Marcia Schaefer, says keeping your hands free from germs is still one of the best ways to stay healthy.
She adds that a lot of focus has been put on vaccinations recently, following the confirmation of two measles cases in northwest Iowa. She says it is difficult to overstate the importance of immunizations, but it is not the only way to advance public health. Schaefer explains, that if done correctly, hand washing can play a critical role in slowing the spread of disease.
The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) recommends that hands should be washed when preparing food, caring for sick individuals, using the restroom, coughing or sneezing and more. For more information on the importance of hand hygiene, follow the link included with this story on our website.
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www.cdc.gov/features/handwashing/index.html
