You may have seen the recent news reports, like the one from the U.S. that highlighted the tough spread of norovirus – the “nasty stomach bug” that’s notoriously hard to get rid of. While that article reports on an outbreak overseas, it’s a critical reminder for us all here at home: Norovirus doesn’t respect borders, and it certainly doesn’t respect a quick splash under the tap.
We know norovirus is a constant problem here, too. It’s not enough to simply wash your hands; you must wash them properly. This is exactly why solid, practical training and adherence to gold-standard protocols are your best line of defence, especially when norovirus is involved in over 50% of all gastroenteritis outbreaks in Australia.
As a manager or trainer, you’ve probably seen it: the classic “splash-and-dash” hand wash. A quick squirt of soap, a rinse, and they’re done. Staff often think they’re doing the right thing, but studies consistently show people miss key areas – particularly under fingernails, between fingers, and the backs of their hands.
When dealing with a bug as resilient as norovirus, this quick routine simply doesn’t cut the mustard. This virus is a serious risk factor for spreading illness, causing frequent outbreaks in Australian high-risk settings like aged care facilities and childcare centres.
Norovirus is known for its resilience and its ability to shut down entire wards or childcare rooms. Unlike many other germs, this virus is:
Norovirus is known for its resilience and its ability to shut down entire wards or childcare rooms. Unlike many other germs, this virus is:
The biggest risk factor for spreading norovirus in our communities and businesses is food preparation. The virus doesn’t multiply in food, but an infected person can easily transfer it, primarily through the fecal-oral route, if they neglect proper hand hygiene.
Think about ready-to-eat foods (like salads, sangers, and baked goods). They are handled after being cooked or grown, making them particularly vulnerable. A food handler who has been ill (and hasn’t waited at least 48 hours after symptoms stopped), or one who doesn’t wash their hands thoroughly after using the loo, can easily contaminate ingredients, utensils, or serving surfaces.
To prevent this major pathway of transmission, the following is critical:
Posters are useful reminders, but they don’t change behaviour. You can stick up all the “Wash Your Hands for 20 Seconds” signs you like, but until someone sees the spots they miss, that habit won’t change.
This is where a practical tool like Glow 2 Show makes the difference.
Instead of just telling staff they need to scrub their hands for a full 20 seconds, you can run a quick Glow 2 Show session. Staff rub the harmless, glowing ‘germs’ onto their hands, go through their normal wash routine, and then check their hands under the UV light.
The result is instant. When staff see the ‘germs’ still glowing between their fingers or around their cuticles, they have an “Aha!” moment. They realise their standard wash is completely inadequate for dealing with a tough threat like norovirus.
The gold standard for norovirus prevention is a rigorous handwash:
This visual, systematic process – made real through the Glow 2 Show experience – is what transforms a casual habit into a rigorous skill. With norovirus consistently causing severe outbreaks in Australian institutions, elevating your team’s hygiene behaviour is more important than ever.
The consistent presence of norovirus in Australia should serve as a wake-up call. We must elevate handwashing through consistent, quality hygiene education – and that’s exactly what Glow 2 Show helps you achieve.
