How To Prevent Infectious Diseases

Infectious diseases can make a big impact on our lives. See strategies to prevent transmission of infectious diseases in congregate spaces.

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What is IPAC?

Infection prevention and control (IPAC) is a practical, evidence-based approach aimed at breaking a link in the chain of transmission and preventing people from being harmed by avoidable infections caused by germs.

Ways to break the chain of transmission include:

Frequent hand washing and covering coughs and sneezes
Ensuring vaccinations are up to date
Staying home when you are sick
Cleaning and disinfection in your environment
Storing food properly
Disposing of waste properly

IPAC Resources

Hand hygiene

Hands are the most common way of spreading germs. Washing your hands regularly has been shown to significantly decrease the frequency of colds, COVID-19, influenza (the “flu”) and other infections. It’s wise to keep nails short and consider the jewellery you wear, as long nails, artificial nails and jewellery are great hiding places for germs.

Download Our Cleaner Hands Poster

Soap and Water: 4 Hand washing tips

A person lathering and washing their hands over a sink

Step 1: Wet

Remove any jewellery and then wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), turn off the tap, and apply soap.

Step 2: Lather

Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap. Lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.

A White woman washing her hands with soap

Step 3: Scrub

Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. Need a timer? Hum the “Happy Birthday” song from beginning to end twice.

Drying hands with a blue towel after washing them

Step 4: Rinse and Dry

Rinse your hands well under clean, running water then dry them using a clean towel or air dryer.

Using a hand sanitizer or rub?

Washing hands with soap and water is the best way to get rid of germs in most situations.

If soap and water are not readily available, you can use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. You can tell if the sanitizer contains at least 60% alcohol by looking at the product label.

Download Our Hand Sanitizer Poster

A Black woman applying hand sanitizer to her hands

A person wearing blue gloves holding up their hands

Using gloves, masks and PPE

Masks and Gloves are examples of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), a physical barrier between you and germs.

Wearing a mask helps to protect others by keeping germs from being spread to others. A face mask can help prevent their germs from splattering in the air and on surfaces. It’s important to wash your hands before and after wearing a mask. Make sure it fully covers your nose, mouth, and chin.

Use gloves when touching items or surfaces that could be soiled with germs. Gloves should be removed immediately after touching the soiled surface and followed by hand washing, with soap and water.

See Resources

4 tips to handle anti-mask sentiments

See COVID-19 Myths

Tip #1: Talk about the benefits

Tip #2 :Enlist trusted local leaders

Tip #3 : Practice Empathy and Understanding

Tip #4 : Communicate with people in other ways.

Keeping VAW and I&I spaces clean and disinfected

Daily cleaning of high-touch surfaces in rooms and common living spaces is important to control the spread of germs, and reduce the risk of infection. We can all play a role to help keep our spaces clean.

If an area is visibly soiled with debris, first clean the area with a wet cloth and soap. Next you can use a disinfectant (squirt bottle or wipes) to thoroughly wipe the surface. Check the manufacturer’s instructions on the bottle (wipes) for safe and appropriate handling. Allow the area to air dry and don’t forget to wash your hands when done!

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A person cleaning a surface with disinfectant spray and blue gloves

Top places to disinfect

A hand wearing a yellow glove spraying disinfectant spray into a sink

The Kitchen

Areas where food is stored or prepared are often more contaminated than other places in the home. Kitchen items that need frequent cleaning include cutting boards, coffee maker, refrigerator (especially areas in contact with uncooked and unwashed food), and kitchen sink and countertops.

An elevator button with the number twelve illuminated

Knobs, handles, switches and electronics

Surfaces that are touched frequently such as mobile phones, countertops, elevator buttons and light switches are favourite places for germs. While many people assume that the bathroom doorknob would be the dirtiest, other spots that need your attention include bathroom light switches, refrigerator handles, stove knobs, and microwave handles.

A hand wearing a clue glove cleaning a sink with a blue cloth

Bathroom

It’s no surprise that the place you scrub dirt and grime off your body holds germs. Due to the moisture from a hot shower, the bathroom is also a perfect place for germ growth. Spots you should pay special attention to include shower tub, drains, faucets, floor area around the toilet, bath towels and toothbrushes. You can wipe surfaces and handles down with disinfectant daily and do a thorough cleaning once a week.

Laundry

Wet laundry left in a machine, even for a short amount of time, can cause germs to flourish. Transfer clean clothes to the dryer immediately after each wash. If clothes sit in the washer for more than 30 minutes, you may want to run a second cycle using warm or hot water.