The Catch It Kill It Bin It Campaign
The Catch It Kill It Bin It campaign is part of the Department of Health's pre-pandemic influenza preparedness planning. Correct respiratory and hand hygiene practice will have a major role to play in slowing the spread of pandemic flu, and will be the single most effective action that public can take to protect themselves and others from infection. The campaign aims to raise awareness of the need for good respiratory hygiene and to encourage the public to follow correct coughing and sneezing etiquette. We will be working with the local media to raise awareness of the campaign and targeting local schools.
Hygiene facts and tips:
- Most adults suffer two to five colds a year, and infants and pre-school children have an average of four to eight.
- In most years, thousands of deaths are attributable to the complications of flu.
- Flu is at its peak in the winter each year, especially between December and March.
- The flu virus affects up to 15% of the UK population per year and costs the UK up to 4.5 billion a year, so any measures taken to reduce this saves lives, money and days off sick.
- The common cold is caused by around 200 different types of virus which makes it the most common illness worldwide.
http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_080839