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International Infection Prevention Week

Join hands in the global fight against germs during International Infection Prevention Week. Stay informed, stay healthy!

Sunday

18–24

October 2026

Last updated February 7, 2026 · by the Holiday Calendar Team

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YEARLY DATEThird Full Week in October (Sunday to Saturday)

OBSERVED INInternationally

CATEGORYAwareness

SUBCATEGORYPublic Health

INTRO

Introduction

PHOTO

Get prepared for International Infection Prevention Week, kicking off on October 20! This week-long celebration, spread worldwide, is dedicated to the understanding and dissemination of knowledge about how to stop the transmission of infection. The first step towards victory is awareness, and that’s what this week is all about! Introduced in 1986 and promoted by the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC), International Infection Prevention Week fosters an environment empowering healthcare workers, patients, and every single person to play a critical role in preventing infections. So, let's gear up to join hands in the global fight against germs. Stay informed, stay healthy!

TIMELINE

International Infection Prevention Week Timeline

Inception of IIPW

International Infection Prevention Week (IIPW) was first introduced in the US by President Ronald Reagan.

CDC's Involvement

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) started providing materials and resources to support IIPW activities.

Global Expansion

IIPW became an international observance, promoting infection prevention and consciousness worldwide.

H1N1 Awareness

During the H1N1 pandemic, IIPW played a crucial role in raising awareness about the importance of infection prevention.

Ebola Outbreak Response

IIPW took on a significant role during the Ebola outbreak, providing critical information on infection prevention protocols.

COVID-19 Pandemic

IIPW highlighted the importance of infection prevention measures amidst the global COVID-19 pandemic, solidifying its vital role in public health education.

GET INVOLVED

How to Celebrate International Infection Prevention Week

Attend a webinar or lecture

Expand your knowledge on the topic by attending a webinar, lecture, or seminar about infection prevention. This will not only increase your understanding but will also make you more aware and confident in discussing and spreading awareness about the topic.

MAKE

Make a hygiene kit

Create hygiene kits for homeless shelters in your area. These kits should contain essentials like hand sanitizer, wet wipes, soap, masks, tissues and educational pamphlets about infection prevention.

ORGANIZE

Organize a cleanliness drive

Arrange a community cleanliness drive to educate people about the link between cleanliness and disease prevention. Ensuring a clean environment plays a critical factor in preventing the spread of infections.

Share online resources

Find reliable resources online about infection prevention and share them on your social media platforms. This can help in spreading awareness to your network about the importance of preventing infection spread.

DEVELOP

Develop a workplace policy on Infection Prevention

If you are part of a company or organization, consider putting together a new policy, or revising existing ones, that focuses on preventing infection in the workplace. This can include regular cleaning procedures, availability of sanitizing equipment, and educating staff on proper hygiene.

WHY THIS DAY MATTERS

Why International Infection Prevention Week is Important

Focuses on Education and Empowerment

International Infection Prevention Week realizes the power of education as the greatest defense against infection. By spreading helpful information and encouraging discussions on the subject, it empowers every individual to make informed decisions about their own health, hygiene, and habits.

Promotes Global Health Awareness

International Infection Prevention Week is essential because it boosts global health vigilance. It increases awareness regarding infection spread and equips individuals with the necessary knowledge to prevent it. This aids in reducing infection rates, enhancing public health, and saving lives.

Encourages Participation and Action

This health observance week not only raises awareness but also encourages action. Through various activities like hygiene kit making, cleanliness drives, and sharing educational resources, everyone gets an opportunity to contribute positively toward infection prevention.

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