How Long Does HFMD Live on Surfaces? [VIDEO]

A proactive approach to hygiene and cleanliness is crucial for preventing the rapid spread of Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD) in shared community spaces.

Preventing the Spread of Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD) Through Effective Cleaning and Hygiene

Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD) is a highly contagious viral illness that primarily affects young children and is usually caused by viruses like coxsackievirus and enterovirus 71.

HFMD spreads easily through direct contact with bodily fluids—such as saliva or nasal mucus—or with surfaces contaminated by the virus.

Research has shown that these viruses can survive on surfaces for significant periods, which makes communal areas like schools and daycare centers common hotspots for outbreaks.

Understanding the transmission pathways of HFMD and the virus's resilience on surfaces is crucial for establishing effective cleaning and hygiene practices to help curb its spread.

 

Surface Longevity of HFMD-Causing Viruses

Virus Persistence on Surfaces

• HFMD-related viruses, including coxsackievirus and enterovirus 71, can persist on surfaces for extended periods, allowing them to remain infectious even after an infected person’s symptoms have resolved.
• Environmental Factors: The survival time of these viruses depends on conditions like temperature and humidity; warmer, more humid environments generally support longer virus viability.

Key Research Findings

• Extended Shedding Duration: Research indicates that HFMD viruses may continue to shed from infected individuals for up to five weeks following initial symptoms, which significantly raises the risk of prolonged surface contamination.
• Insights from Evidence Reviews: Rapid evidence reviews support that HFMD viruses can survive on surfaces for multiple weeks, highlighting a sustained transmission risk when cleaning and disinfection measures are insufficient (Saguil et al., 2019; Duan et al., 2020).

These insights emphasize the importance of rigorous cleaning practices to reduce HFMD outbreak risks, especially in settings with high-contact surfaces.

 

Transmission Risks in Shared Spaces

High-Risk Environments

• HFMD often spreads in shared spaces like schools, daycare centers, and playgrounds, where close contact and communal surface use are common.
• Shared Items: Items such as toys, desks, and play mats can harbor the virus, increasing the infection risk as children frequently touch their faces after handling these surfaces.

Impact of Environmental Conditions

• Temperature and Humidity: HFMD viruses tend to last longer in warm, humid conditions, raising the likelihood of transmission in specific climates or seasons.
• Prolonged Infectious Period: Since HFMD viruses can remain infectious on surfaces for weeks, outbreaks may persist if cleaning measures are inadequate.

Vulnerable Populations

• Children Under Five: Young children are especially vulnerable to HFMD due to developing immune systems and frequent hand-to-mouth contact.
• Immunocompromised Individuals: Those with weakened immune systems may face higher risks, making preventive hygiene particularly critical in shared spaces.

Recognizing these transmission risks is key for parents, caregivers, and facility managers to take preventive steps and reduce HFMD spread in high-risk environments.

 

Importance of Rigorous Cleaning and Disinfection

Disinfecting High-Touch Surfaces

• Frequent Cleaning: Regular disinfection of high-contact surfaces, such as toys, tables, bathroom fixtures, and door handles, is essential to minimizing HFMD virus presence in shared areas.
• Targeted Cleaning During Outbreaks: Increasing the frequency of cleaning routines for frequently touched areas during HFMD outbreaks can help prevent further transmission.

Effective Disinfectants

• EPA-Approved Disinfectants: Choose disinfectants proven to kill viruses, particularly those recommended by health authorities for enteroviruses and similar pathogens.
• Proper Application: Carefully follow disinfectant instructions, including recommended contact time, to ensure effective virus neutralization on surfaces.

Continuous Hygiene Practices

• Routine Disinfection: Adopting a daily cleaning protocol, especially in communal environments, supports ongoing virus control and reduces the risk of transmission.
• Enhanced Cleaning in High-Risk Seasons: Increase the intensity of cleaning efforts during peak HFMD seasons, typically late summer and early fall, when cases tend to be more common.

Implementing these rigorous cleaning measures is key to maintaining a safer environment and preventing HFMD spread, especially in spaces with high foot traffic and shared use by young children.

 

Recommended Preventive Practices

1. Hand Hygiene
   • Regular Handwashing: Promote frequent handwashing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after using the restroom, handling shared items, or touching potentially contaminated surfaces.
   • Teaching Hygiene to Children: Educate children on the importance of handwashing and remind them to avoid touching their faces to help reduce infection risk.
2. Surface Cleaning Protocols
   • Daily Disinfection Routines: Implement daily cleaning schedules in schools, daycare centers, and play areas to ensure that high-contact surfaces are routinely disinfected.
   • Extra Care During Outbreaks: Increase the cleaning frequency during HFMD outbreaks to help prevent virus spread among children and staff.
3. Parental and Staff Awareness
   • Educate Caregivers and Staff: Inform parents, teachers, and daycare staff about HFMD transmission risks and the importance of consistent hygiene practices.
   • Symptom Monitoring: Encourage parents to keep children home if they show HFMD symptoms, as the virus can be highly contagious even in the early stages.
4. Personal Items and Shared Spaces
   • Limit Shared Items: Whenever possible, provide individual items for children and reduce the sharing of toys and other objects.
   • Cleaning Personal Belongings: Regularly disinfect personal belongings such as water bottles, backpacks, and lunch boxes, especially those frequently brought into shared spaces.

By following these preventive measures, we can significantly reduce HFMD transmission in high-contact settings.

Educating both children and caregivers on hygiene can greatly minimize the likelihood of outbreaks.

 

References

1. Duan, X., Chen, Z., Li, X., Yuan, P., & Long, L. (2020). Virus Shedding in Patients With Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease Induced by EV71, CA16 or CA6. ˜the œPediatric Infectious Disease Journal/˜the œPediatric Infectious Disease Journal, 40(4), 289–294. https://doi.org/10.1097/inf.0000000000002985
2. Saguil, A., Kane, S. F., Lauters, R., & Mercado, M. G. (2019). Hand-Foot-and-Mouth Disease: Rapid Evidence Review. American Family Physician, 100(7), 408–414. https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2019/1001/p408.html

 

Takeaway

Effective prevention of Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD) relies on combining thorough cleaning practices, consistent hygiene, and community-wide awareness.

Given the virus’s resilience on surfaces, maintaining clean environments—especially in schools, daycares, and other shared spaces—is essential to lowering transmission risks.

By establishing regular handwashing routines, disinfecting high-contact surfaces, and educating parents and caregivers, we can better protect vulnerable groups like young children from HFMD outbreaks.

A proactive approach to hygiene and cleanliness is crucial for fostering healthier communities and curbing the spread of HFMD.

If you would like more information regarding the effectiveness of high-performance infection prevention and control measures, or if you would like to schedule a free, no-obligation on-site assessment of your facility's custodial needs, contact us today for a free quote!

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