Download first Procter and Gamble Prize winner for Europe

Press Release 21 April 2008 World‐class scientist ‐ first Procter and Gamble Prize winner for Europe – comes to Birmingham Procter and Gamble award‐winning lecture Society for Applied Microbiology annual spring meeting Aston University, Birmingham 22 April 2008 Over 100 international scientists will gather in Birmingham tomorrow to hear the latest on home hygiene from world‐class scientist and winner of the first Procter and Gamble prize for Europe, Professor Sally Bloomfield. A concept called ‘targeted hygiene’ will be explained by Professor Bloomfield of the International Scientific Forum on Home Hygiene. This concept uses hygiene measures only where and when necessary to break the infection chain. At a time when we’re anxious that we may be “too clean for our own good” targeted hygiene looks to maximise protection against infectious disease microbes yet allows normal exposure to non‐harmful microbes. The IFH is working to educate people about the importance of hygiene in the home: 1. Gastrointestinal infections remain at unacceptable levels, with 50% of cases passed through contaminated hand‐surface contact. 2. Many infectious diseases are caused by viruses and cannot be treated with antibiotics, so prevention through hygiene is key. Infections such as MRSA and C. Diff. are also community‐acquired – if we reduce the spread of these organisms in the home, we can limit the numbers of “carriers” entering hospital as patients – who then either get an MRSA or C. difficile infection themselves, or pass it on to other patients.
3. Good hygiene can prevent antibiotic resistance through decreasing the number of cases of infection which need antibiotic treatment. 4. In the UK, 1 in 5 people living at home have impaired immunity, making them more susceptible to infection. Practicing good hygiene is key to preventing infection in those who are vulnerable. Professor Bloomfield is the first winner of the Procter and Gamble prize for Europe, an award with a USA equivalent which recognises distinguished achievement in research and development in applied (non‐clinical) and environmental microbiology since 1977. The Society for Applied Microbiology • Bedford Heights • Brickhill Drive • Bedford • MK41 7PH
T: +44(0)1234 326661 • F: +44(0)1234 326678 • E: [email protected]
www.sfam.org.uk
Professor Bloomfield says “if infections such as food poisoning, MRSA, colds and influenza are to be “contained” in a manner that is economically sustainable, it has to be a responsibility which is shared by everyone. This is not about shifting blame, it’s about facing reality” Notes to Editors 1. A full conference programme can be found at: http://www.sfam.org.uk/spring_meetings.php. 2. Additional information about the Procter and Gamble lecture is available from Dr Lucy Harper, Communications Officer at the Society for Applied Microbiology [Office: +44(0)1234 326661;
Mobile 07920 264596; email: [email protected]].
3. Professor Bloomfield holds an appointment at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and is the chairman of the International Scientific Forum on Home Hygiene (www.ifh‐
homehygiene.org), a registered charity which was established in 1997 with the mission to provide practical advice and guidance on the promotion of health and wellbeing through improved hygiene. The primary objectives of IFH are to: Raise awareness of the role of home and community hygiene in preventing infectious disease Promote understanding of hygiene practice in the home Ensure that home hygiene practice is based on the available scientific evidence 4. SfAM is the voice of Applied Microbiology within the UK. We are the oldest UK microbiology th society with members worldwide. In 2006 we celebrated our 75 anniversary and a number of special events were held during the year. The final celebration was the President’s Dinner which rd was held in the Palace of Westminster on 23 November 2006. SfAM works in partnership with sister organisations and microbiological bodies such as FEMS (The European Federation of Microbiological Societies) and the Biosciences Federation to ensure that microbiology and microbiologists are able to exert influence on policy‐makers within the UK, in Europe and world‐
wide. 5. The Procter and Gamble award has been issued for the first time in Europe this year and SfAM were approached specifically to administer the award. The Society for Applied Microbiology • Bedford Heights • Brickhill Drive • Bedford • MK41 7PH
T: +44(0)1234 326661 • F: +44(0)1234 326678 • E: [email protected]
www.sfam.org.uk