Beat the flu before it beats you: handwashing is your first line of defence
The beauty of hand hygiene lies in its simplicity and cost-effectiveness.
As the winter chill settles across South Africa, so too does the annual rise in sniffles, sneezes, and serious illnesses like influenza and respiratory infections. But this year, the flu season arrived earlier than expected, catching many families and workplaces off guard.
According to the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD), the 2025 flu season began in late March, the earliest onset since 2010.
If you thought you had more time to prepare, you're not alone. Data from the NICD's pneumonia surveillance programme highlights that influenza A(H3N2) is the dominant strain this year, accounting for nearly 70% of laboratory-confirmed cases.
This is more than just a statistic; it's a wake-up call for South Africans to double down on prevention, especially when it comes to one of the simplest, yet most effective, barriers against infection: handwashing.
Why is handwashing so important during flu season?
The science is clear: respiratory viruses like colds and the flu spread easily through droplets when we cough, sneeze, or even talk. Touching contaminated surfaces and then touching our faces, something we all do countless times a day, makes us vulnerable.
That's why the World Health Organisation (WHO) continues to emphasise that proper hand hygiene is one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of infection, both in hospitals and in our everyday spaces. But why does hand hygiene matter so much, especially now?
Protecting the vulnerable
Not everyone has the same level of immunity. Elderly people, young children, and those living with chronic illnesses like asthma, diabetes, or HIV are at higher risk of severe flu complications.
Your commitment to handwashing protects not just yourself, but also your loved ones and the broader community.
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