preventing the spread of germs and worms
57
Preventing the Spread of Germs and Worms
While germs and worms are found everywhere, there are simple steps that every
person can take to help prevent illness. To stop the spread of germs and worms:
• Protect water sources and use clean water for drinking and washing. Unless
you know water is safe, it is best to treat it (see pages 92 to 99).
• Always wash hands after using the toilet, and before
handling food. Use clean water and soap if available.
If not, use clean sand or ash. Cut fingernails short.
This will also help keep hands clean.
• Use a toilet. This puts germs and worms out of contact with
people. If there is no toilet it is best to defecate far from water
sources, in a place where feces will not be touched by people or
animals. Cover feces with dirt to keep flies away.
• Use clean and safe methods of preparing and storing food. Wash fruits
and vegetables, or cook them well before eating them. Feed left-over
food scraps to animals, or put them in a compost pile or toilet. Get
rid of spoiled food, keep meat and seafood separate from other foods,
and make sure meat, eggs, and fish are cooked well before eating.
Wash dishes, cutting surfaces, and utensils with hot water and soap
after using them, and allow them to dry well in the sun if possible.
• Keep animals away from household
food and community water sources.
• Wear shoes to prevent worms from
entering through the feet.
• Make fly traps and cover food to prevent flies from spreading
germs. Toilets that control flies or stop them from breeding
can also help (see Chapter 7).
Howbtconbmxnackbe a fly trap from a jar or bottle
➊ Tape or glue paper to make an open cone, then fit the cone
inside a plastic or glass jar or bottle.
➋ Seal around the opening of the bottle so there is no space
between the cone and the bottle.
➌ Hang the bottle from string or wire, or attach it to a stick
in the ground.
➍ Put some sweet bait, like fruit or fish, just under the trap. Flies will land on the food
and then fly through the cone and into the bottle.
➎ To empty the trap, turn it mouth up, remove the cone, fill with water to make sure
the flies are dead, and then empty it into a toilet or compost pile.
To reduce flies, hang this trap near toilets and places where food is prepared.
A Community Guide to Environmental Health 2012