OFFICE staff have been warned to improve their hygiene after a large number of dangerous bacteria were found on communal kitchen items.
British scientists found bugs that are usually spread through poo, on kettles, fridge door handles, coffee machines and microwave buttons.
AlamySwabs taken from shared kitchen areas found several different types of bacteria present on everyday items[/caption]
Chief researcher, Dr Adam Roberts, a microbiologist from Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM), said the results suggest people are “not washing their hands thoroughly, or at all, after going to the toilet”.
He said: “The potential knock-on effect of this is that, if an individual who is more susceptible to infection, then touches those same surfaces, they may be at risk of becoming ill.”
Swabs taken from shared kitchen areas in office spaces and construction worker areas found several different types of bacteria present on everyday items, including Escherichia coli (E.coli).
E.coli is a common a bacterium that can lead to a range of gastro-intestinal illnesses like diarrhea and urinary tract infections (UTIs).
Pseudomonas, which is often associated with respiratory infections, like pneumonia was also discovered on these three items.
Klebsiella, a microbe which can also cause pneumonia and spread via faeces, was present on almost all 11 kitchen items
Microbiologists also reported how each item was rife with fungi, with fridge door handles being among the worst affected.
Dr Adam added: “The simple way to try to minimize this risk though is to practise good hand hygiene as much as possible.”
Thara Raj, director of public health for Warrington, who commissioned the research, said: “Fridge door handles, coffee machines and kettles seemed to be the places where the most bacteria was, all of which are items that we’ll likely touch several times each day.”
She added: “The key thing to remember is that these bacteria are completely invisible to the naked eye so, while these items may look clean, they could in fact be home to lots of different microbes.
The study was part of a wider campaign, Simple Things, to encourage people to help reduce the spread of illnesses such as flu, norovirus and the common cold.
It comes as norovirus cases are at their highest levels in over a decade.
The total number norovirus laboratory reports during weeks six and seven was 784, with the season average being 387, the UK Health Security Agency data showed.
Norovirus can spread very easily and you can catch it from having close contact with some who has the bug.
Touching your mouth after touching surfaces or objects that have the virus on them could also lead to you getting it.