Down with flu in UAE? Blame your poor hygiene at home

A recent survey conducted by home hygiene brand Dettol reveals that more than 85 per cent of UAE residents believe that the cold and flu viruses are the quickest ones to spread at home if home hygiene levels are low.

These results were supported by insights from the Arab Hygiene Council (AHC) members at their annual meeting held last week, which was attended by medical and hygiene education experts from UAE and Saudi Arabia.

AHC members discussed the leading health and hygiene issues currently impacting the Middle East community, including the spread of the cold and flu viruses and the measures people need to take in order to keep illnesses at bay.

The study results, which showed that the majority of respondents (60 per cent) believed that the toilet flush handle harbours the most bacteria of any other surfaces at home, clearly indicate the need for more education amongst residents, as kitchen sinks and surfaces have more germs in a normal household than the toilets.

Education about good hygiene practices was emphasised at the AHC meeting to be key to raising hygiene standards at home, work and schools.

“In addition to the home, the workplace is another high-risk environment for the spreading of germs, given the number of people working in close proximity,” said Dr. Ola Mira, Arab Hygiene Council member and Head of Occupational Health & Safety, Ministry of Health, UAE.

“Many daily activities such as travelling on public transport or choosing to go to work despite having an illness or infection can leave workers vulnerable and impact their productivity. Understanding how germs spread is therefore a vital first step in helping to maintain a cleaner, more hygienic work and home environment,” she said.

Cold and flu prevention was just one of the key topics discussed during the meeting, which also included briefings on the hygiene and infectious diseases landscape; the control of emerging infections, such as the Mers Corona Virus (Mers-CoV), which has impacted the Middle East in particular over the past year; and the on-going importance of hand hygiene.

The AHC also discussed the importance of instilling good hygiene practices in children from a young age, for the long term benefits of preventing cold & flu and other infectious diseases.

AHC members also highlighted that it is essential for children to learn good hygiene habits at a young age, to curb the spreading of germs at home or in schools. Classrooms, bathrooms and playgrounds in schools are very susceptible to the spreading of germs, hence ensuring that all school children practice on-going good hygiene is key to their brain development and academic performance.

The AHC members concluded that the best way for germs to be kept at bay is through regular hand washing with water and a trusted anti-bacterial soap.

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