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Many illnesses, especially diarrhoea, come from germs found in human faeces. If the germs get into water or onto food, hands, utensils or surfaces used for preparing and serving food, they can be swallowed and cause illness.
The single most important action to prevent the spread of germs is to dispose of all faeces – both human and animal – safely. Human faeces need to be put down a toilet or latrine. The latrine needs to be kept clean. Animal faeces need to be kept away from the house, paths and areas where children play.
If it is not possible to use a toilet or latrine, everyone should always defecate well away from houses, paths, water sources and places where children play. The faeces should be buried immediately.
All faeces, even those of infants, carry germs and are therefore dangerous. If children defecate without using a toilet, latrine or potty, their faeces should be cleaned up immediately and put down the latrine or buried.
Latrines and toilets need to be cleaned frequently. Latrines should be kept covered and toilets should be flushed.
Local governments and NGOs often can help communities build sanitary latrines by giving advice on the design and construction of low-cost latrines.
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