What is Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS)?

Preventing Infection

PDF of the Preventing Infection Factsheet

This page was reviewed or revised on Thursday, August 13, 2009.

Following seven simple and inexpensive steps can prevent many infectious diseases.

Handwashing is one of the best ways to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. Wash your hands often to eliminate germs that you have picked up from people, surfaces and animals. Always wash your hands before you prepare food, before you eat, and after you use the bathroom. Wash your hands after handling animals or animal wastes, and wash them more often when someone in your home is ill.

The proper way to wash your hands is to wet them first with warm water and apply soap. Rub and scrub vigorously for 15-20 seconds. Rinse and dry.

Cleaning and disinfection are not the same thing. Cleaning with soap, water and scrubbing removes dirt and most germs. Disinfecting kills additional germs on surfaces and provides extra safety.

In the kitchen infectious bacteria live in raw or uncooked foods. Before, during and after preparing foods, especially meat and poultry, clean and disinfect counters and other surfaces.

Follow directions on product labels, which include allowing the disinfectant to stand for a few minutes. Wipe surface with paper towels that can be thrown away or with cloth towels that can be washed afterwards.

In the bathroom, clean and disinfect all surfaces.

Plan carefully when purchasing your food. Buy perishable foods, such as dairy products or fresh meat, at the end of your shopping trip. Refrigerate these as soon as possible.

Store food properly. Don’t allow juices from meat, seafood, poultry, or eggs to drip on other foods. Use containers to keep these products from contaminating other foods. Don’t leave perishable food out for more than 2 hours.

Use care when preparing and cooking foods. Clean and disinfect all kitchen surfaces and utensils before, during, and after handling, cooking, and serving food. Wash raw fruits and vegetables. Don’t eat raw eggs or partially cooked eggs. Cook poultry and meat to 74^o C (165^o F), until the juices run clean.  Cook whole poultry at 82^o C.  Use different dishes and utensils for raw foods and cooked foods.  Keep cold foods cold and hot food hot.

Store leftovers properly. Don’t leave leftovers out for more than 2 hours. Promptly refrigerate or freeze perishable items. This means storing food at or below 4^o C in the refrigerator and below -18^o C in the freezer.  Use thermometers to ensure proper temperature control.

^{4. Keep Pets Healthy}

^{All pets should be routinely cared for by a veterinarian. Follow the prescribed schedule of immunizations that the vet recommends and ensure dogs and cats are vaccinated for rabies. Obey local laws. Clean litter boxes daily. Don’t allow children to play where animals defecate or urinate. Keep the children’s sandboxes covered.}

^{5. Get Immunized}

^{Getting immunized is easy, inexpensive, and saves lives. Make sure your children get the shots recommended by their health care provider at the proper time. Keep records of all immunizations for the whole family.}

^{Ask your health care provider about special programs that provide free shots for your child. Adults need tetanus and diphtheria boosters repeated every 10 years. Additional shots are often needed for protection from infectious diseases when traveling to other countries.}

Antibiotics are powerful drugs used to treat certain bacterial infections. Antibiotics can be harmful and, if used inappropriately, can cause bacteria to become resistant to treatment. Antibiotics should be taken exactly as prescribed by your health care provider. Your child does not need an antibiotic each time he or she is sick.

Wild animals can carry diseases harmful to you and your pets. Wild animals such as rodents can carry deadly diseases such as Hantavirus infection and plague. Ticks can transmit Rocky Mountain spotted fever and Lyme Disease. Bats, raccoons, skunks, and foxes can transmit rabies. Keep your house free of wild animals by not leaving any food around and be eliminating possible nesting sites. Seal entrance holes on the inside and outside of your house.

For more information contact the Communicable Disease Team of the Community Health Services Department at (519) 383-8331 or if long distance, toll free at 1-800-667-1839.