International Infection Prevention Week Concludes Oct. 24: 2026 Theme Honors 'Generations of Infection Prevention'
International Infection Prevention Week (IIPW) ran this year from Oct. 18 to 24, concluding on Oct. 24. Founded by the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) and held each year in the third week of October, the global health awareness week promotes infection prevention among the public and health care workers and recognizes infection preventionists.
The 2026 theme is 'Generations of Infection Prevention: Past. Present. Protected.' 'Past' honors the pioneers and generations of professionals who built today's infection prevention practices; 'Present' highlights the role of today's infection preventionists and health care teams in patient safety and in responding to emerging health threats; and 'Protected' points to passing proven knowledge and practices on to safeguard patients, health care workers and future generations.
During the week, health care organizations marked the theme with posters, fact sheets, peer recognition and educational activities. In Scotland, NHS Lanarkshire highlighted its frontline infection prevention teams. 'This week is about celebrating people,' said Christina Coulombe, its director of infection prevention and control. 'From our specialist Infection Prevention and Control teams to colleagues delivering and supporting care across Lanarkshire, every one of us has a part to play in preventing infection and protecting others.'
As the week wrapped up, APIC thanked participants around the world, saying the celebrations were ending but the impact of infection prevention continues every day. Core infection prevention practices include hand hygiene, correct use of personal protective equipment, vaccination and environmental cleaning.
Source: GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 美国海军医疗船 USNS Mercy 上的一名手术室护士与手部消毒用品（2020年资料图）。照片：美国海军，公共领域，经 Wikimedia Commons。 / A perioperative nurse aboard the hospital ship USNS Mercy with surgical hand antisepsis supplies (2020 file photo). Photo: U.S. Navy, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
