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Appendix C
Hand-Washing Recommendations to Reduce Disease Transmission
from Animals in Public Settings
Hand washing is the most important prevention step for reducing disease transmission associated with animals in
public settings. Hands should always be washed when exiting animal areas, after removing soiled clothing or shoes, and before
eating or drinking. Venue staff members should encourage hand washing as persons exit animal areas.
How to Wash Hands
Wet hands with running water; place soap in palms; rub hands together to make a lather; scrub hands thoroughly for
20 seconds (e.g., the amount of time it takes to sing the ABC song); and rinse soap off hands.
If possible, turn off the faucet using a disposable paper towel.
Dry hands with a disposable paper towel. Do not dry hands on clothing.
Assist young children with washing their hands.
Hand-Washing Facilities or Stations
Hand-washing facilities or stations should be accessible, sufficient for the maximum anticipated attendance, and
accessible by children (i.e., low enough for children to reach or equipped with a stool), adults, and persons with disabilities.
Hand-washing facilities stations should be conveniently located in transition areas between animal and nonanimal areas
and in the nonanimal food concession areas.
Maintenance of hand-washing facilities and stations should include routine cleaning and restocking to ensure an
adequate supply of paper towels and soap.
Running water should be of sufficient volume and pressure to remove soil from hands. Volume and pressure might
be substantially reduced if the water supply is furnished from a holding tank; therefore, a permanent pressurized water
supply is preferable.
Hand-washing stations should be designed so that both hands are free for hand washing by having operation with a
foot pedal or water that stays on after hand faucets are turned on.
Hot water is preferable, but if the hand-washing facilities or stations are supplied with only cold water, a soap that
emulsifies easily in cold water should be provided.
Communal basins, in which water is used by more than one person, are not adequate hand-washing facilities.
Hand-Washing Agents
Liquid soap dispensed by a hand or foot pump is recommended.
Alcohol-based hand sanitizers (concentration of
>60%) may be used if soap and water cannot be made available and
the sanitizers are effective against multiple common disease agents (e.g., Shiga toxin-producing
Escherichia coli, Salmonella species, and
Campylobacter species). However, they are ineffective against some organisms (e.g., bacterial
spores, Cryptosporidium species, and certain viruses).
Hand sanitizers are less effective on visibly soiled hands. Therefore, as much visible contamination and dirt as
possible should be removed before using hand sanitizers.
Hand-Washing Signs
At venues where human-animal contact occurs, signs regarding proper hand-washing practices are critical to reduce
disease transmission.
Signs that remind visitors to wash hands should be posted at exits from animal areas (i.e., exit transition areas) and
in nonanimal areas where food is served and consumed (Figure).
Signs should be posted that direct all visitors to hand-washing stations when exiting animal areas.
Signs with proper hand-washing instructions should be posted at hand-washing stations and restrooms to encourage
proper practices.
If appropriate for the setting, hand-washing signs should be available in different languages.
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