Scientists estimate that people are not washing their hands often or well enough and may transmit up to 80% of all infections by their hands. From doorknobs to animals to food, harmful germs can live on almost everything. Handwashing may be your single most important act to help stop the spread of infection and stay healthy.

From the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The federal government is reintroducing a powerful weapon in the fight against the H1N1 flu virus: Elmo.

The popular Sesame Street character will be featured in a series of public service advertisements meant to encourage better hygiene among young children, the Department of Health and Human Services announced.

In the ads, Elmo teams up with Gordon, another Sesame Street veteran, to stress the importance of basic healthy habits such as frequent hand washing, sneezing into the bend of your arm, and not touching your mouth, nose, and eyes.

www.henrythehand.com is an online handwashing resource for teachers by Will Sawyer, MD. The mission of the educational campaign is to propagate the 4 Principles of Hand Awareness throughout the United States and the world.

1. Wash your hands before eating and when they are dirty!
2. Do not cough in your hands!
3. Do not sneeze in your hands!
4. Above all, do not put your finger in your eyes, nose or mouth!

A parody of The Beatles' "I Wanna Hold Your Hand," as performed by UC Davis food toxicologist Carl Winter.

The animations were produced at New Mexico State University as part of USDA CSREES National Integrated Food Safety Initiative Project Number CD-D-FST-7057-CG.

(c) Copyright 2007. Carl Winter, Food Safety Music. UC Davis.