Transmitted Infection Risk Research Articles

A Case Report : Recurrent Herpes Labialis In A 12 Year Old Boy

Introduction: Herpes labialis, commonly known as cold sores, is an infection predominantly caused by herpes simplex type 1 (HSV-1). Transmission of herpes labialis occurs through direct contact with active lesions or bodily fluids, including saliva, from infected individuals. Patients with herpes labialis often report prodromal symptoms before lesions appear, such as fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, and muscle aches. Localized symptoms, including pain, burning, or itching at the site of the impending eruption, are also common. This case report discusses a recurrent herpes labialis case at Wangaya Regional General Hospital, aiming to enhance understanding of the condition's presentation, management strategies to prevent recurrence, and measures to minimize transmission. Case Report : A 12-year-old boy was diagnosed with recurrent herpes labialis caused by an infection with herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). This diagnosis was based on the patient's medical history, which indicated prodromal symptoms and polymorphic lesions, as well as dermatological examination findings that showed herpetiform vesicles with crusting. The patient’s history of similar symptoms and the lesion’s localization to the vermillion border of the lips support the diagnosis of a recurrent infection. Herpes labialis is most commonly seen in children, particularly those under 19 years of age, which corresponds with the patient’s age. The primary risk factor is direct contact with an infected individual, which aligns with the patient's history of frequently sharing food and drinks with a friend who also exhibited similar symptoms. Additionally, the patient was known to share electronic cigarettes (vapes) with schoolmates. Recurrent herpes labialis can be triggered by various factors, including weakened immunity and UV exposure, both of which were present in this case. Conclusion: The main treatment provided for this patient was oral acyclovir. The use of acyclovir aims to reduce symptoms, accelerate healing, and lower the risk of infection transmission. Acyclovir works by inhibiting viral replication through the suppression of DNA polymerase, which reduces the amount of active virus and speeds up recovery. The dosage of acyclovir given to the patient was in accordance with recommended guidelines. Supportive diagnostic tests, such as serology or Tzanck smear, are recommended to confirm the diagnosis. However, in this case, the diagnosis was already established through medical history and physical examination. Given that this is a contagious disease, the patient was educated on measures to reduce the risk of transmission.

Knowledge, Attitude and Practice among health care professionals in a tertiary hospital regarding handling COVID 19 deceased bodies – A questionnaire based study.

Objective: To assess the knowledge, attitude and practice in handling Covid 19 deceased bodies among health care professionals. Methodology: A pre validated questionnaire consisting of questions to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice towards dead body care handlingand disposal of Covid 19 bodies was given in using google forms to the study participant which included the healthcare professionals working at present in a tertiary care hospital. The responses were categorized into two professional categories: nursing staff and medical doctors. The average positive responses for knowledge, attitude, and practice questions were calculated for each category. Results: The study was conducted among 140 participants (61 nurses and 79 doctors). It was found that on comparing their knowledge of handling COVID-19 deceased individuals, 73.31% of nursing staff and only 67.88% of medical doctors had accurate knowledge on the subject.When it comes to the attitude while handling COVID-19 deceased individuals, 45.07% of nursing staff and 44.3% of medical doctors exhibited a positive attitude.When it comes to practice of handling COVID-19 deceased individuals, 40.97% of nursing staff and only 34.17% of medical doctors exhibited proper practice. Conclusion: The findings reveal that nursing staff possess higher levels of accurate knowledge and a positive attitude, though the difference is not statistically significant. However, both groups demonstrate gaps in proper practices concerning the handling of COVID-19 deceased bodies. This study highlights the importance of ongoing training and awareness to improve safe handling procedures, thereby reducing the risk of infection transmission to healthcare professionals.

Effective advice on contraceptive choices

Contraception is freely available in the UK from the NHS through pharmacies or private providers, such as Brook clinics. Despite wider societal acceptance of contraception, practical, psychological and social barriers remain to access for a range of groups. A first consultation to assess contraceptive needs will require a longer appointment as there are many issues to discuss alongside those pertaining directly to contraceptive use, such as emergency contraception, safeguarding and sexually transmitted infection risk. Health professionals must consider consent and confidentiality in any consultation and be aware of groups who are at higher risk of abuse, such as vulnerable adults and those from the LGBTQ+ community. This article discusses contraception use, and forms of available contraception in the UK, including common risks and benefits, barriers to accessing contraception and emergency contraception.

The safety of pathogen-reduced platelet transfusions in critically ill term and preterm neonates.

Platelet transfusions carry an important risk of infection transmission. The Mirasol Pathogen Reduction Technology system for platelets uses riboflavin and UV light to introduce irreparable lesions into nucleic acids, thereby inhibiting pathogen replication and inactivating white blood cells. The objective of this study is to evaluate the safety of pathogen-reduced platelet transfusions (PRPTs) in critically ill infants in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in the Caribbean. We conducted a descriptive retrospective study of the use of Mirasol PRPTs in patients admitted to the NICU of the general hospital in Curaçao from February 2016 to April 2023. A total of 208 PRPTs were administered to 46 patients (median [range] transfusions per patient: 3 [1-24]). Three patients were born term, and 43 were born preterm (median [range] gestational age: 27 4/7 weeks [24 6/7-36 6/7]). PRPTs were well-tolerated and no complications occurred, especially no signs of haemolysis nor any signs of new infection within 24 h after transfusion. Twenty-one of 46 patients (46%) died during their admittance. None of the deaths were deemed related to PRPT. Mirasol PRPT appears to be safe for use in critically ill neonates, including extremely preterm neonates.

Antibiotic use and resistance: knowledge, attitudes and practices in Italian healthcare workers

Abstract Background Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the most significant public health challenges globally. The misuse or incorrect use of antibiotics has led to the emergence of resistant bacteria, making it increasingly difficult to treat infections. This study aims to identify knowledge, attitudes, and practices among Italian healthcare workers (HWs) - medical doctors (MDs) and nurses - regarding antibiotics, antibiotic use, and antibiotic resistance. Methods Cross-sectional study; a validated questionnaire from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control was distributed via web survey starting from April 2024 to a voluntary sample of healthcare workers employed in Italy. Descriptive analysis and multivariable logistic regression were performed to investigate predictors of knowledge regarding antibiotic use and AMR. Ethical approval was obtained from the local ethics committee. Results So far, 154 HWs were enrolled, of which 132 were nurses (85.7%). The average level of knowledge regarding AMR and antibiotic use was 6.8/7 (± 0.2) for MDs and 6.1/7 (± 0.2) for nurses, with an overall score, among HWs of 6.19 (± 0.99), compared to a European average of 6.35. The multivariable analysis highlighted that the medical profession reported higher knowledge regarding prudent antibiotic use and AMR (aOR 6.90; 95% CI 1.83-26.01, p-value = 0.004), while concerning professional practice, the unavailability and difficulty of access to guidelines seemed to increase the risk of reporting inadequate knowledge (aOR 2.04; 95% CI 1.01-4.13, p-value = 0.046). Conclusions Our preliminary results provide an insight into the importance of structuring and actively disseminating procedures/protocols and guidelines to deepen the issues of AMR and prudent antibiotic use. Also, there appears to be a need to enhance the delivery of refresher courses targeting HWs, with particular attention to settings at high infection transmission risk. EU funding: Project no. PE00000007, INF-ACT. Key messages • Although a higher knowledge about prudent antibiotic use and AMR, more efforts are needed to increase access to guidelines. • Constant updating of knowledge and practices is necessary to face the challenges of antibiotic resistance in public health.

A realistic approach for evaluating antimicrobial surfaces for dry surface exposure scenarios.

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 pandemic has raised public awareness about the importance of hygiene, leading to an increased demand for antimicrobial surfaces to minimize microbial contamination on high-touch surfaces. This is particularly relevant in public and private transportation settings, where surfaces frequently touched by individuals pose a significant, yet preventable, risk of infection transmission. Typically, the antimicrobial activity of surfaces is tested using test methods of the International Standards Organization, American Society for Testing and Materials, or Japanese Industrial Standards, which involve complete submersion in liquid, elevated temperature (37°C), and prolonged (24 h) contact periods. However, these conditions do not accurately represent real-world scenarios where surfaces are exposed to air. In this study, we propose a modified test method designed to better reflect real-life conditions in the intended end-use setting. The modifications included using deionized water instead of nutrient broth while preparing bacterial inoculum, applying a small test inoculum to the surface and allowing it to dry, maintaining ambient temperature and relative humidity throughout the contact period, and reducing the contact period to 4 h. With this modified approach, the antimicrobial activity of 20 samples was reassessed. This screening revealed that out of 20 samples, only 2 samples were effective against all species, while 8 samples demonstrated partial effectiveness against selected species, and 10 samples showed no significant effect. These findings highlight the inadequacy of the current test standard and emphasize the urgent necessity for revised and adapted testing method to ensure a reliable and accurate evaluation.IMPORTANCEThe recent severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 pandemic has sparked increased demand for antimicrobial surfaces to mitigate the risk of fomites-transmitted infection in both indoors and confined spaces. Commonly, the antimicrobial activity of these surfaces is assessed using test standards established by national standards bodies, which do not distinguish between different application scenarios. While these test standards are suitable for surfaces intended for submerged application, they are inappropriate for antimicrobial surfaces designed for dry surface exposure. The usage of these standards can lead to an overestimation of antimicrobial efficacy. Thus, this study introduces a modified dry exposure test method aimed at better reflecting real-life conditions in the intended end-use setting. Our results revealed the subpar antimicrobial performance of numerous samples, highlighting the necessity to revise and tailor the universal test standard to real-world scenarios in order to ensure a reliable and accurate evaluation.

Social influence on drug use and sexual behaviors among rural LGBTQ+ individuals

ABSTRACT Background: Traveling to meet sexual partners and substance use are associated with increased risk of infectious disease. It is important to understand what factors may increase substances use or increased infection transmission risk (IITR) sexual behaviors among rural LGBTQ+ individuals. Objective: This study investigates substance use and sexual behaviors associated with increased infection transmission risk among rural LGBTQ+ individuals, and how these are associated with relationship type (friends or romantic partners) and travel distance. Methods: Participants (18 years+, identify as LGBTQ+, and provided a $25 gift card) were recruited from Illinois (25 counties), in 2021. Data included demographics, sexual and drug use behaviors, and assessed how these behaviors varied by relationship type and distance traveled (e.g. when meeting friends out-of-state). Results: The 398 participants were 79.1% White and 12.3% Black. By orientation, 29% heterosexual, 36% gay/lesbian, and 35% bisexual/other. By identity, 43% cisgender male, 51% cisgender female, and 6% genderqueer/other. Alcohol use while visiting out-of-state friends was more frequent among transgender (vs cisgender men; OR = 9.686, 95% confidence interval = 2.123-44.19), and individuals traveling > 1/month (all p < .050). Infection-related sexual behaviors while visiting out-of-state romantic partners was more frequent among prescription medication misuse (all p < .050) and traveling > 1/week (vs < 1/month; OR = 3.399, 95% CI = 1.037-11.144). Conclusion: This study of rural LGBTQ+ identified that alcohol use was associated with travel to visit out-of-state romantic partners, and prescription medication misuse increased infection-related sexual behavior during out-of-state travel. Health professionals can develop substance use and increased infection transmission risk sexual behavior interventions on gender minority groups in rural areas and target those who are traveling.

Management of Odonto-onycho-dermal dysplasia: the role of botulinum toxin

Various methods exist for measuring wound dimensions, including photography, comparison, ruler, or graph techniques1. With the advancement of current-generation smartphones equipped with high-quality built-in cameras, accessibility to such technology has become more widespread and affordable. Leveraging specific applications developed for these smartphones has provided numerous advantages in the medical field. One such software, Imitomeasure, has been designed to measure wound dimensions without direct contact with the wound site. Unlike traditional clinical measurements involving rulers or tape, Imitomeasure offers a non-contact approach, reducing the risk of infection transmission to the patient. The efficacy of Imitomeasure has been evaluated, revealing its effectiveness in wound dimension assessment. In this investigation, the dimensions of bedsores located over bilateral greater trochanteric regions and presacral region of a patient who was bed-ridden due to Parkinson disease were assessed using the Imitomeasure application on a smartphone.

Barriers to Effective Infection Prevention in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: A Qualitative Study.

Infection prevention (IP) behaviors such as hand hygiene (HH) and mobile device disinfection are important to reduce the risk of infection transmission from both family members and hospital staff to critically ill neonates. To inform the design of educational interventions to improve both patient family and staff IP behaviors, we engaged separate groups of nurses and family members to understand perceptions about the spread of infection and barriers to implementing effective IP strategies. This was a qualitative study using focus groups to gather data from neonatal nurses and patient family members. Data were triangulated with hospital-wide survey data and analyzed using inductive content analysis. Twelve nurses and 4 patient family members participated. Themes related to communication about IP between staff and family members emerged: stakeholders expressed discomfort with the timing and nature of just-in-time HH education. These communication challenges contributed to stress levels within the neonatal intensive care unit. This finding was reflected in the hospital-wide survey. Steps should be taken to improve communication about IP behaviors between patient family members and frontline staff. Reducing nurse burden of providing just-in-time HH reminders to patient family members through increased IP education may decrease stress and facilitate IP behaviors. This has the potential to decrease infection spread and improve patient outcomes. The development of interventions targeting stakeholder communication is therefore warranted, but additional research is needed to understand the timing and process for delivery of the educational material.

A SEGURANÇA DO PACIENTE

Objective: Promote training for nursing team professionals to reduce the risks of infections caused by invasive procedures. Methods: This study was based on a quantitative research, of an exploratory nature, conducted through field research. Results: The aim was to decrease hospital-acquired infections by raising awareness among the nursing team about the importance of following safety protocols. This included reducing the percentage of devices that could potentially aggravate risks for clients/patients. Final Considerations: The study highlighted the need for targeted training using the presented approach. It emphasized the importance of the entire team remaining vigilant in hygiene practices, handwashing, equipment cleaning, and proper execution of invasive procedures to minimize the risks of infection transmission and spread.

Transmission network of Hepatitis C virus subtype 2a in Huazhou County, Shaanxi Province, China

BackgroundHuazhou County has one of the highest rates of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection incidence and prevalence in Shaanxi Province, northwest China. Understanding the characteristics of HCV transmission patterns in this area could help guide targeted prevention strategies. This study employed phylogenetic analysis and the construction of a molecular transmission network of HCV-infected people in Huazhou County to describe the predominant strains of HCV and identify factors associated with onward transmission.MethodsWhole blood samples were obtained from HCV RNA-positive individuals for sequencing of the non-structural protein 5B region. A maximum-likelihood (ML) phylogenetic tree was constructed to determine HCV subgenotypes, and Bayesian phylogenetic analysis was employed to estimate the evolutionary history. The transmission network was constructed using the ML phylogenetic tree and pairwise distances. Logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with clustering in the transmission network.ResultsML phylogenetic analysis confirmed that the 61 sequences analyzed in the study belonged to subtype 2a. Bayesian phylogenetic analysis showed that the majority of subtype 2a sequences originated in the northwest of China and had descended approximately 8 to 20 years before sampling. Overall, 26.2% of participant sequences were grouped into phylogenetic network clusters. Multivariate logistic regression showed that individuals who had a history of blood transfusions and were living in Shi Village, Huazhou County, were more likely to form clusters within the transmission network.ConclusionHCV transmission in Huazhou County was predominantly associated with subtype 2a. Having a history of blood transfusions and living in residential Shi Village, Huazhou County, were factors associated with a high risk of HCV infection transmission. Prioritizing targeted interventions for these patient groups may help to prevent further infections.

An agent-based modeling approach for infection prevention predesign: simulating the spread of pathogens between humans and the environment in an Intensive Care Unit

ABSTRACT This study aims to investigate infection prevention measures in healthcare environments, focusing on the role of surface materials and hand hygiene compliance. To address this goal, an Agent-Based Model was developed to examine the combined effects of human factors and environmental interventions on the transmission of three types of healthcare-associated bacteria in an Intensive Care Unit (ICU). The model evaluates five key prevention measures: surface material selection, daily and terminal cleaning, hand hygiene compliance, and the use of personal protective equipment (PPE). Hand hygiene was chosen as the primary variable for model validation due to the extensive computational and field research available in this area. It also serves as a bridge between material design and human factors in infection transmission risk. Simulation data were compiled from each run by gathering the average value for the number of infected patients and contaminated environment over different scenarios. After validating the model, patients infectivity and environmental contamination associated with commonly used surface materials; namely quartz, copper-impregnated surfaces, plastic laminate, and stainless steel; were assessed under two scenarios of baseline and enhanced hand hygiene compliance. The findings underscore the importance of surface material choices in healthcare settings, suggesting that the most effective infection control strategies combine improved hand hygiene practices with the strategic use of materials in areas prone to bacterial contamination. These insights advise healthcare designers to adopt strategies that integrate both behavioral interventions and environmental components to minimize the risk of contamination and pathogen spread within healthcare environments.

Comparison of Three Tracheal Intubation Procedures Using Personal Protective Equipment, Direct and Video Laryngoscopes: An Open, Randomized, Parallel Clinical Trial

Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, severe respiratory failure is a life-threatening condition, and life-saving tracheal intubation is a high-risk aerosol- and droplet-generating procedure. It is crucial to protect healthcare workers without compromising patient safety during intubation. The use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and different types of laryngoscopes are measures to reduce the risk of infectious transmission that might impact the intubation process. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of different levels of PPE and types of laryngoscopes on the duration of the intubation process and its success rate. Methods: We conducted an open, randomized, parallel clinical trial on non-COVID-19 adult patients scheduled for elective and emergency surgeries under general anesthesia from November 2021 to May 2022. Patients were divided into three groups: Group 1 was intubated using a video-guided laryngoscope with operators wearing level three PPE; group 2 was intubated using a direct laryngoscope with operators wearing level three PPE; and group 3 was intubated using a direct laryngoscope with operators wearing level two PPE. Intubation was performed by 2nd- and 3rd-year anesthesia residents. Results: The duration of intubation varied significantly among the groups, with Group 1 taking the longest time (P = 0.046). Group 3 had a higher success rate for first-attempt intubation (P = 0.056). Conclusions: The use of PPE and video-guided laryngoscopy had varying effects on the intubation procedure, with the most notable impact being on the overall length of intubation. Further research with a larger sample size is needed to validate these findings.

Assessment of airborne transmitted infection risk in classrooms using computational fluid dynamics and machine learning-based surrogate modeling

In recent years, the assessment of airborne transmitted infection risk has been extensively performed using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations, especially in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Nevertheless, the high computational demands and time-intensive nature of CFD simulations highlight the need for fast or real-time infection risk predictions. This capability is crucial for swift decision-making in dynamic environments where timely health interventions are critical. This paper presents a thorough analysis of airborne infection risks in classroom environments based on CFD simulations to understand key factors such as ventilation strategies, air change rates, occupant arrangements, source locations, and particle sizes. This study also employs data-driven supervised learning methods—specifically, Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) and Artificial Neural Networks (ANN)—to generate surrogate models for predicting airborne infection risk. Key findings reveal that different ventilation strategies significantly affect airborne infection risk, reducing it by 49 %–77 %. Moreover, the conventional Wells-Riley model was identified as lacking in its ability to accurately predict local infection risks. The study further challenges the assumption that higher air change rates are universally beneficial, considering that occupants seated in the back rows of a classroom experienced up to a 166 % increased risk, despite elevating air change rates from 1.1 h−1 to 11 h−1. These results suggest that physical distancing alone may be insufficient and highlight the importance of considering other factors such as occupant arrangements. Regarding the model performance, the ANN-based surrogate model demonstrated varying prediction accuracy. For inhalable particle concentration predictions for susceptible occupants, R2 values ranged from 0.31 to 0.65 with CVRMSE values between 100 % and 180 %. In contrast, the model achieved an R2 of 0.79 and a CVRMSE of 34 % for infectors. The insights and methodologies from this study can inform HVAC system design and operation strategies to better mitigate infectious disease transmission in densely occupied indoor environments.

KNOWLEDGE AND ATTITUDE OF DENTAL PROFESSIONAL PROGRAM STUDENTS IN PREVENTION OF NOSOCOMIAL INFECTIONS AT GUSTI HASAN AMAN DENTAL HOSPITAL

Background: Nosocomial infection is one of the reasons for the high morbidity rate in hospitals. Dental professional program students have a risk of contracting or transmitting infection to patients through blood, saliva, lesions, direct contact, or indirect contact when providing care. Dental professional program students need to apply standard precautions to reduce the risk of infection transmission. Purpose: This study aims to analyze the relationship between knowledge and attitude among dental professional program students in prevention of nosocomial infections at Gusti Hasan Aman Dental Hospital. Methods: This type of research is analytical observational with a cross-sectional study design. A sample of 77 dental professional program students was selected using a simple random sampling technique. Collecting data using a questionnaire concerning knowledge, attitude, and behavior in prevention of nosocomial infections. Statistical analysis using the Spearman test. Results: The results showed that as many as 44 people (57.14%) had good knowledge, 53 people (68.83%) had good attitude, and 71 people (92.21%) had good behavior prevention of nosocomial infection. The statistical test results showed that there was a significant relationship between knowledge and behavior to prevent nosocomial infections with a value of p = 0.001 and there was a significant relationship between attitude and behavior prevention of nosocomial infections with a value of p = 0.001. Conclusion: Research shows the need to improve materials and monitor dental professional program students' applied of standard precautions. Good knowledge and a good attitude will be followed by good behavior in the prevention of nosocomial infections.

Innovating Airport Luggage Disinfection Systems with Advanced Technologies and Automation

In this article, we point out that luggage disinfection is a key step in stopping the spread of infectious diseases that can be contracted at airports due to viruses and bacteria, which can spread through passenger luggage at airports. To prevent the spread of respiratory infections at airports, in this research study, we compare two types of baggage disinfection system. The first method uses UV light to disinfect luggage while selectively checking it for the presence of bacteria and viruses. The second system uses non-selective disinfection, taking into account the possibility of the spread of disease from the aircraft’s home country. An analysis and simulation of a specific airport security procedure was carried out on the model under study, which is an automated system for disinfecting baggage at airports in two variants. The aim is to reduce the transmission of harmful diseases and, at the same time, to ensure the accuracy of passenger security screening by efficiently exhausting each of the proposed models. This research shows that the suggested measures to stop the spread of infectious diseases that travelers’ luggage can bring in will enhance screening procedures and, in particular, boost overall security while lowering the risk of infection transmission at airports.

V-112.4: Infection transmission risk from kidney donors with active Hepatitis B: A systematic review and meta-analysis of observational data

V-112.4: Infection transmission risk from kidney donors with active Hepatitis B: A systematic review and meta-analysis of observational data

Assessing COVID-19 transmission risk: Roommate and unit mate exposures at an inpatient behavioral health facility

Inpatient psychiatric facilities have an inherently increased risk of infection transmission. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of roommate and unit mate exposures on COVID-19 transmission to inform on safest isolation practices. A single-center retrospective study was conducted among patients hospitalized in six units of an inpatient behavioral health hospital from July 2020 through August 2023. We compared the risk of COVID-19 acquisition after exposure among patients with a contagious roommate versus those exposed to a contagious unit mate. During the study period, the conversion rate was 10.05% overall, 24.4% for roommates, and 9.3% for unit mates; patients exposed to a roommate were at 3.14 times higher odds (95% confidence interval, 1.42-6.92) of acquiring COVID-19 after exposure. On unit-stratified analysis, patients exposed to a roommate on the geropsychiatric unit had the highest risk of post-exposure conversion compared to unit mate exposed patients (odds ratio 6.38, 95% confidence interval 1.75-23.22). Logistic regression analysis identified a non-significant risk associated with increased time in group therapy. Exposure to a COVID-19 contagious roommate significantly increases the risk of COVID-19 acquisition among exposed patients receiving inpatient psychiatric care. Cohorting contagious and exposed individuals and avoiding multi-bedded rooms may successfully mitigate COVID-19 transmission risk during psychiatric care.

Managing risk of infectious disease transmission at religious mass gatherings.

Managing risk of infectious disease transmission at religious mass gatherings.

Evaluation of the antimicrobial effect of a far-uv radiation lamp in a real-life environment

Using far-Ultraviolet-C (UVC) radiation with an emission maximum of 222 nm, has the potential to kill bacteria while not being harmful to humans and can be used continuously in public areas. Elevators pose a high risk of infection transmission, as they are small, crowded spaces with poor ventilation. In such a setting continuous decontamination would be very useful. This study aimed to measure the effectiveness of a far-UVC lamp installed in a frequently used elevator by comparing the bacterial load found in that elevator with the bacterial load in a control elevator. Microbial load was measured by different methods; ATP bioluminescence, surface samples were collected by contact slides, contact plates, and swabbing. Air samples were also collected. No significant differences were found in the microbial content between the control elevator and the UV-lamp elevator, regardless of whether the UV-lamp was always on, or was used with a motion sensor to turn off when someone entered the elevator. The results suggest that the far-UVC requires a longer time to kill the bacteria, while the people traffic were continuously re-contaminating the elevators.