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World Toilet Day: Protecting against Ebola and COVID-19 through proper toilet hygiene

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A clean toilet is a joy to every one

World Toilet Day is held every year on 19th November. It has been an annual United Nations Observance since 2013. According to the official World Toilet Day website, 3.6 billion people today are still living with poor quality toilets that ruin their health and pollute their environment.

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Ebola Virus Disease is a rare but severe, often fatal illness in humans. The virus is transmitted to people from wild animals and spreads in the human population through human to human transmission. Human to human transmissions involve contact with blood or body fluids of a person who is sick with or has died from Ebola or objects that have been contaminated with body fluids like blood, faeces or vomit from a person that is sick or has died from Ebola.

Respiratory diseases such as Corona virus disease (COVID-19) can also be spread through human to human transmissions and contact with infected surfaces. This implies that one of the effective ways to manage the spread of Ebola and COVID-19 is through maintaining proper toilet hygiene.

Here are six ways to practice proper toilet hygiene.

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  1. Shut the lid before flushing

According to research, germs that transmit infectious diseases can be released up to 10 inches above toilet seats. These harmful germs can land on toilet surfaces when dispersed.

When one touches these surfaces, the germs can be transferred to the hands, thus the face and food potentially making one very sick.

It is highly encouraged to shut the lid before flushing in order to lower the risk of exposure to harmful germs.

2.Use a toilet and urinal sanitizer

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A flushed toilet does not guarantee absolute cleanliness. According to research, over 1 million bacteria stay alive after a toilet is flushed.

It is encouraged to use a toilet and urinal sanitizer to guarantee hygiene.

This keeps the toilets and urinals stain free and protected against the build up of bacteria.

3.Keep toilet seats clean

Toilet seats are a hotbed for bacteria. According to research, over 96% of toilets contain faecal bacteria that may result into serious infections.

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It is also highly encouraged to sanitize a toilet seat before engagement.

4.Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water after engagement

Touching any toilet surface leaves one exposed to contact with harmful faecal bacteria.

Touching your eyes, nose or mouth with contaminated hands can lead to germs entering the body.

A single gram of human faecal waste carries up to one trillion germs that can cause serious diseases.

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Therefore it is prudent to ensure that you wash your hands before leaving the facilities.

5.Dry your hands

Research suggests that damp hands spread 1,000 times more germs than dry hands.

Moist surfaces provide a more conducive environment for germs to thrive.

Part of effective washroom hygiene is ensuring that you dry your hands extremely well.

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6.Keep the floor dry

A damp floor provides a conducive environment for disease causing bacteria to thrive.

Keeping a dry floor is essential to proper toilet hygiene.

#FeatureByAMREF

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