Bibliographic information
GuidelineWHO guideline on public health and social measures for mitigating the risk and impact of epidemic and pandemic influenza
Year of Publication2026
Issuing InstitutionWorld Health Organization
Recommendation
New
WHO recommends performing hand hygiene to reduce the transmission of influenza viruses in community settings during influenza epidemics and pandemics.
Recommended in favor
Strong
Certainty of evidence
Moderate
Notes and Remarks
- Hand hygiene is considered to be a standard precaution shown to reduce the spread of other infectious diseases. Although the published scientific evidence from RCTs on the efficacy of hand hygiene alone in reducing laboratory-confirmed influenza virus infections remains only moderate, it is an important intervention in reducing the risk of other common infectious diseases. Good hand hygiene should be recommended regardless of influenza activity in the community due to its general effectiveness in preventing infectious disease transmission through indirect contact with contaminated surfaces or objects.
- The effectiveness of hand hygiene increases when used alongside other measures.
- No evidence was found to support the superior effectiveness of one type of hand hygiene method over another in reducing influenza virus transmission. However, handwashing with soap and water is preferred in the case of visibly soiled hands – in circumstances where this is not possible or feasible, alcohol-based handrub (ABHR) can be used (3).
- Gloves are used in medical settings but there is insufficient evidence to support the regular use of gloves as a preventive measure for influenza epidemics and pandemics for the general population. Implementation considerations
- Education campaigns on effective hand hygiene practices might be needed to address misinformation and myths, and to improve compliance and adherence in the general population.
- Consideration should be given to subgroups that are more vulnerable to infection, and on the importance of different groups in the community transmission of influenza.
- To help address issues of equality and ensure non-discrimination in relation to the right to health, accurate and helpful information, including on the use of alternative traditional methods for hand hygiene, should be provided.