For the colonized patient, this type of contact led to hand contamination, which later contaminated surfaces when the patient touched the surfaces.
While in the room, HCW's hands become contaminated by touching these contaminated surfaces and by contact with the colonized patient.
Wipe samples might miss minimally contaminated surfaces or small, discrete contaminated areas.
Norovirus is highly contagious and can be transmitted through contact with an infected person or contaminated surfaces and objects.
But the viruses may also persist on inanimate objects, and people can become infected from touching contaminated surfaces.
The spores from C. difficile are hardy, and contaminated surfaces must be scrubbed down with bleach to eradicate the germ.
The illness can be spread by coughs and sneezes, or contaminated surfaces, and people with chronic diseases seem especially vulnerable.
(utensils, teething toys, etc). For heavily contaminated surfaces, use 1½ cups of household bleach per gallon of water.
Dry ice blasting is a highly efficient and environmentally-friendly method for cleaning of contaminated surfaces.
Last month, 524 people aboard the Holland America Amsterdam came down with the Norwalk virus, a common, highly contagious stomach illness spread via contaminated surfaces.
It is spread by touching contaminated surfaces, caring for sick people or eating uncooked food that people with the illness have touched.
