Aussie flu cure? ‘Breakthrough device’ could put an end to deadly infection in the UK
AUSSIE flu symptoms include headaches, sore throats and vomiting. But, this “breakthrough device” could put an end to the deadly infection, it has been claimed.
GETTY Images/Altitude Medical UK
Aussie flu has been reported in all parts of the UK, and is considered by some experts as the worst flu epidemic for half a century.
The risk of spreading Aussie flu could be lowered by washing your hands regularly, using warm and soapy water.
Disinfecting hands using hand sanitiser could also lower the risk of the flu virus from spreading.
Using doorhandles with in-built hand sanitisers could put an end to the Aussie flu virus by significantly reducing the spread, scientists have revealed.
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The PullClean smart doorhandles were designed to reduce the spread of viruses and infections in any at-risk area, including hospitals, care homes and schools.
It encourages people to sanitise their hands whenever they leave a room, the inventors said.
It was trialled in the US, and saw the percentage of people sanitising their hands more than triple, from 24 per cent to 77 per cent.
PullClean smart doorhandles have now been launched in the UK.
GETTY Images
Altitude Medical UK
Handles are usually a big transmitter of bugs
“Our device offers a completely new way to clean hands,” said Altitude Medical UK’s General Manager, Dr Jake McKnight.
“We wanted to make it so easy for people to sanitise their hands, that it is almost subconscious.
“It’s a small step to press a button when you’re already holding the handle anyway.
“The irony is that handles are usually a big transmitter of bugs but PullClean can help stop them in their tracks and drive down unnecessary, expensive and harmful infections.”
GETTY Images
GETTY Images
Increasing hand sanitisation rates will help hospitals and other organisations to protect patients and the public from infection, McKnight said.
Aussie flu, and other viruses, are spread from an infected person sneezing or coughing onto a surface, which is then touched by someone else.
Norovirus outbreaks have seen a number of hospital wards close to visitors this winter season.
Hospitals are always looking for new ways to try and bring infection rates down, said McKnight.
People most at risk of Aussie flu are the elderly, children, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems.
At least 23 people have died from flu in the UK this winter season. Flu cases will continue to rise, Public Health England has warned.
