Hand Hygiene Day 5 May 2026

The World Health Organization has designated May 5^th each year as "World Hand Hygiene Day." In response to this initiative, the Department of Health has promoted "Hand Hygiene Day" and the significance of hand hygiene annually since 2010.

Hand hygiene is a highly cost-effective public health measure. Keeping hands clean can not only prevent the transmission of up to 80% of drug-resistant bacteria (pathogenic bacteria) in hospitals ^[1] but also prevent approximately 30% of diarrhea-related illnesses and about 20% of respiratory infections ^[2]. This year, the slogan for Hand Hygiene Day is "Clean Hands Bring Health." To support this, step-by-step flowchart and reminder stickers on hand hygiene, or promotional videos are being displayed at over 2,200 locations throughout Hong Kong, encouraging the public to incorporate proper and timely hand hygiene habits into their daily lives.

^[1] World Health Organization. Evidence of hand hygiene to reduce transmission and infections by multidrug resistant organisms in health-care settings.https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/integrated-health-services-%28ihs%29/infection-prevention-and-control/mdro-literature-review.pdf. Accessed 28 April 2026.

^[2] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Handwashing Facts.https://www.cdc.gov/clean-hands/data-research/facts-stats/index.html. Accessed 28 April 2026.