KING COUNTY, WASHINGTON - Handwashing is the single most important action that one can take to prevent the spread of illness. This week, Public Health - Seattle & King County is launching its Stop Germs, Stay Healthy! campaign, urging the public to wash hands often, cover coughs and sneezes, and stay home when sick.

“Hand washing, covering coughs, and staying home when sick are simple steps we all can take to protect our own health, as well as the health of all people in King County,” said King County Executive Ron Sims.

Nationwide, the common cold is responsible for 22 million school days lost each year and millions of work days. In addition, each year approximately 36,000 people die of the influenza.

“Besides preventing common colds and the seasonal flu, this campaign promotes the good habits that may also reduce the spread of a potential pandemic flu,” said Dorothy Teeter, Interim Director and Health Officer for Public Health Seattle & King County.

The 2006 Stop Germs, Stay Healthy campaign includes:

• Colorful Stop Germs, Stay Healthy! posters in English, Chinese, Korean, Russian, Somali, Spanish and Vietnamese
• TV public services announcements on numerous local television stations, in addition to movie theaters throughout King County
• Radio public service announcements in English, Spanish and Vietnamese
• Metro bus advertisements inside and outside of buses

For more information about the campaign and if local organizations wish to request posters, visit the Stop Germs, Stay Healthy! web pages at www.metrokc.gov/health/stopgerms.

The Stop Germs, Stay Healthy! campaign is funded by King County as part of the public education activities to prepare for pandemic flu.

This week groups from around the country, including the CDC and the Clean Hands Coalition, are observing National Clean Hands Week Sims has proclaimed this week Stop Germs, Stay Healthy! Clean Hands Week in King County.

Providing effective and innovative health and disease prevention services for over 1.8 million residents and visitors of King County, Public Health – Seattle & King County works for safer and healthier communities for everyone, every day.

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