Learn tips to protect yourself during National Infection Control Week

October 15, 2024

As we celebrate National Infection Control Week from October 14 to 18, and brace for colder weather, York Region Public Health encourages everyone to protect themselves and their loved ones from the spread of infections.

The theme of National Infection Control Week 2024 is “Prevent with Intent,” which speaks to the importance of staying healthy through infection prevention.

Most people who become sick will recover without complications. However, some groups including young children, the elderly and people with certain medical conditions are at greater risk of developing severe health problems such as pneumonia, that may require hospitalization.

Prevent Infections with These Tips

Here are some important tips to help protect yourself and your loved ones from infections:  

  • Stay current and up to date with a COVID-19, flu vaccine and RSV vaccine when eligible
  • Stay home when you are sick  
  • Clean your hands often with soap and running water or alcohol-based hand rub, especially after sneezing, coughing or blowing your nose  
  • Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your sleeve  
  • Clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces and items regularly, such as cell phones
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick
  • Consider wearing a well-fitted mask if you are in a crowded indoor space while using public transit and if you are at higher risk of severe infection  

How York Region ‘Prevents with Intent’

York Region Public Health’s team of health inspectors, nurses, infection prevention and control specialists and epidemiologists, work hard to prevent and control the spread of infections in our community every day.  We inspect restaurants, child care centres, personal services settings, long-term care homes, retirement homes and pools to make sure they are clean and safe for residents to enjoy. We also help to control outbreaks in our community and institutions and promote vaccinations against many communicable diseases.  

This fall, layer up on protective measures to help prevent serious illness caused by the flu (influenza), and other respiratory illnesses such as COVID-19 and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV). Stay tuned for more information about our upcoming respiratory virus campaign coming soon!

For more information on infection prevention and control, please visit Preventing Infections.