Health chiefs issue advice as tons of bacteria found on self-checkouts

With research led by the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM), a team of scientists analyzed swabs from a range of everyday objects such as self-checkouts, escalators handrails, public door handles, and office computer keyboards.

Tons of microbes were found on the objects, including those commonly found in the intestines and associated with faeces.

E. coli, a bacteria that can lead to a range of gastrointestinal illnesses, was present on almost all objects investigated. 

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Researchers found thousands of bacteria in their investigation (Image: Champs Public Health Collaborative)

Dr Adam Roberts, one of the chief researchers at LSTM, said: “We live in a bacterial world – bacteria and microbes are everywhere, and we come into contact with them all day, every day.  

“The self-checkout samples had one of the highest bacterial loads, as we found five different types of potential disease-causing bacteria surviving on them.

"This included Enterococcus which is found in human faeces and, while this is usually harmless, it can of course lead to disease, particularly in those who may have weakened immune systems. 

“We found multiple examples of E. coli and a bacteria called Klebsiella on computer keyboards.

"While both exist naturally in faeces and intestines, given the right environment, they are able to cause quite severe diseases in humans, so it’s vital that we wash our hands before and after eating when working at the computer.” 

Dr Adam Jones (Image: Champs Public Health Collaborative)

In the midst of the festive shopping period and self-service checkouts becoming increasingly popular, a local health collaboration is urging residents to be extra vigilant and keep washing hands regularly. 

Champs Public Health Collaborative, a partnership between directors of Public Health across Cheshire and Merseyside, launched the 'Simple Things' research initiative to educate, give advice, and prevent the spread of winter illness following the pandemic.

Bacteria found by scientists (Image: Champs Public Health Collaborative)

Matt Ashton, Director of Public Health for Liverpool, added: “Our results showed that there are multiple bacteria living on objects that we touch every single day. These bacteria are completely invisible to the naked eye – surfaces may look clean but can be covered in bacteria.  

“But there are simple things we can do to prevent the spread of them and stop the transfer completing its cycle. This is particularly important if you are visiting vulnerable relatives in hospitals and care homes, for example. 

“Hospital admissions for illnesses like Norovirus and flu always spike at this time of year, but we can take steps to reduce how quickly germs transfer from one person to another, by simply keeping our hands clean – washing them after going to the bathroom and before and after we eat.” 

For more information about the Simple Things campaign, visit this link.

Tips to prevent the spread of germs this Christmas:

• Carry a hand sanitiser with you when out and about and be sure to use it once you’ve touched handrails on buses, trains and escalators 
• If you’re particularly vulnerable and prone to catching winter illnesses, try to do your shopping during less busy periods, such as a weekday morning, so you come into contact with fewer people 
• If you’re visiting loved ones in hospital, make sure you are feeling well beforehand and that you wash your hands thoroughly both before and after your visit. 
• Hand wash, sanitise surfaces, keep a distance from others when unwell, cover your sneezes or coughs