October 15 is Global Handwashing Day

Each year on October 15 is Global Handwashing Day. The aim of the day is to raise awareness and understanding on the importance of handwashing with water and soap. Washing hands is an easy, effective, and affordable way to prevent diseases and save lives. Also the COVID-19 pandemic has provided an important reminder that handwashing is one of the simplest ways to prevent the spread of infections.

Handwashing with soap:

• Prevents many common illnesses and spread of infections by removing bacteria and viruses from hands before they can enter the body or spread to other people.
• Helps to protect children by preventing possibly life-threatening diseases such as diarrheal diseases and pneumonia, two of the main causes of mortality in young children around the world.
• Helps to fight against antimicrobial resistance by preventing infections, and thus also helping to prevent the overuse of antibiotics.

Reference:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Show Me the Science - Why Wash Your Hands? Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/why-handwashing.html. Accessed: 14.10.2022