How communicable diseases may spread
A communicable disease is an illness that can be passed to a person directly from another person, such as measles, via an intermediate host like a mosquito, or from an animal to a person like a bat bite, or from the environment like waste material and water.
For more information on the types of Communicable Diseases eg. Bacterial Disease, Animal bourne diseases, Mosquito bourne diseases etc. please refer to the Queensland Health website.
How to limit the spread of communicable diseases
- Wash your hands frequently during the day.
- Always wash your hands before eating, drinking and smoking and after visiting the toilet.
- Use tissues when coughing and sneezing. Dispose of tissues in waste receptacle.
- Avoid sharing drinking and eating utensils with others.
- Avoid sharing phones and head-sets. Follow manufacturer's instruction for cleaning ear pieces and voice tubes should sharing occur.
- Clean counter surfaces, equipment and desk top items regularly with an appropriate cleaning product.
- Ensure kitchen areas including surfaces,ovens and fridges are cleaned regularly and that kitchen bins are kept clean and are provided with lids.
- Undertake appropriate vaccination. The QUT Health Services offer flu vaccinations.
How to wash your hands
View a short video on the correct method for hand washing to help limit the spread of communicable disease.
Coughs and Colds
http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Colds_explained
Influenza
Influenza: Keeping healthy this flu season (PDF, 173kb)
Resources
Vocam DVD - Health and Hygiene Essentials for the Office.
This DVD is available for loan from Health and Safety Advisory Services Level 6, 126 Margaret Street, Brisbane. Contact the Administrative Officer on ext. 89271.
Related Pages
- Infectious diseases (MOPP)
- Queensland Health Communicable diseases topics
- QUT Health Services
- Influenza vaccinations - free for staff QUT's
- Travel Advice web page with a link to the Australian Government - Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
- Communicable Disease Protocol