Petting and normal zoos, farms, pet shops, wildlife and bird sanctuaries, stables, vets and rescue centres are all areas of where zoonotic infections can be caught and spread. As a precaution, good hand hygiene should be a priority. This means that adequate handwashing and sanitising facilities need to be provided in all places where people are likely to come into contact with animals. If you are out and about, it may not always be possible to access soap and water, so you may want to consider carrying personal hand sanitiser around with you so you can clean your hands effectively.
Even domestic animal’s saliva and fur are full of germs, and whenever you touch animals these germs will be transferred onto the skin of your hands. This is why it is very important to take precautions to lower the risk of contracting a zoonotic disease. The best and most effective way to do this is by practising good hand hygiene.
It is important for all businesses to provide adequate hand washing facilities and this is even more vital when people come into contact with animals. Citron Hygiene are experts in providing washroom and hygiene care services to ensure that your premises is providing the facilities necessary for people to wash their hands properly and effectively.
World Zoonoses Day is an annual event held to raise awareness about the risk of zoonotic diseases and how to prevent the spread of them. French biologist Louis Pasteur successfully administered the first ever rabies vaccine on the 6th July 1885, which is why World Zoonoses Day is celebrated on the 6th July every year.
Other common zoonotic diseases you may have heard of include Ebola, Bird Flu, Mad Cow Disease, MERS and SARS. In the UK, as young children at school we have probably all heard the story about the bubonic plague, which was spread by fleas, leading to the death of thousands of people.
Should I wash my hands after petting cat?
Although cats are very clean animals, sometimes they have germs, especially in their poop and in their mouths, that can make you sick. Don’t touch your cat’s bum (most of them don’t like that!), and always wash your hands after playing with a cat. Don’t let a cat lick your face or any sores.
Contrary to popular belief, pigs are unable to sweat; instead, they wallow in mud to cool down. Their mucky appearance gives pigs an undeserved reputation for slovenliness. In fact, pigs are some of the cleanest animals around, refusing to excrete anywhere near their living or eating areas when given a choice.
What are the disadvantages of hand washing?
May fail to remove pathogens from hands of hospital personnel. May become contaminated with gram-negative bacteria. May result in increased bacteria counts on the skin. May cause more skin dryness than cleaning hands with an alcohol-based product.
When Your Dog sees you washing your hand after Petting them
There’s a whole other world of life, called the microbiome, made up of teeny tiny microorganisms that exist on and in every living thing. The human microbiome includes trillions of these little life forms that are essential to our well being, often serving as a shield against germs or helping to convert food into energy.
Animals have their own unique collections of microscopic critters. Every time you touch a cow or a pig at the local fair, or even pet your dog or cat, you’re inviting their microorganisms to hitch a ride (and your body may not react the same way).
If you don’t wash your hands (thoroughly) before eating or wiping your nose, for example, you could make yourself quite sick. But don’t worry, you can still hug Fido and pet that adorable baby goat, you just need to practice good hand hygiene.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s handwashing recommendations, keeping your hands clean is one of the most important steps you can take to avoid getting sick and spreading germs to others.
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