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World Hand Hygiene Day

Overview page , 30/04/2025

Every year on May 5th the WHO points out the importance of hand hygiene in healthcare. The date symbolizes the five fingers of both hands. This year's motto is "It might be gloves. It’s always hand hygiene.", and special attention is given to the use of (disposable) medical gloves, taking into account possible contraindications for infection prevention and the impact on climate and environment. The RKI provides information on the topic of hand disinfection for medical and nursing staff, including the current recom­men­dations of the Commission for Infection Prevention and Hygiene in Healthcare and Nursing (KRINKO).

Publications

World Hand Hygiene Day

Epidemiologisches Bulletin , 30/04/2025

( PDF, 2MB, File does not meet accessibility standards )

In 2009, the WHO launched the World Hand Hygiene Day, which is since then held annually on May 5th. The date symbolizes the five fingers of both hands. As outlined in the Epidemiologisches Bulletin 18/2025, this year’s campaign carries the slogan: "It might be gloves. It’s always hand hygiene."

Self-perceived oral health of people with and without diabetes mellitus: results of the study GEDA 2019/2020-EHIS

Journal of Health Monitoring , 09/04/2025

Oral diseases interact with noncommunicable diseases such as diabetes mellitus. In the German Health Update (GEDA 2019/2020-EHIS) study, people were asked by telephone about the presence of diabetes and the state of their teeth and gums.

Number of the Month : 19.6%

of all people living in risk areas are fully vaccinated against Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE)

RKI informative film

The Robert Koch Institute