Some infectious disease germs and microbiological bacteria can live on, and be picked up from, surfaces for weeks or even months, not only busting the “five-second rule,” but making the eating of food or use of a utensil that fell on the floor a literally sickening concept – even in a sanitary environment.
While the five-second rule is generally applied to food, a recent study on its application to dropped medical objects in an operating room can correlate to dropped objects on the food manufacturing or foodservice floor (e.g., utensils, food, packages). The findings of the study were that even brief contact with a contaminated surface can affect the sterility of the objects. This was in a surgery room that had just been sanitized, so would be applicable in a food facility as well, even at the start of a shift.
Even when everything appears clean, viruses can live on a hard surface for a long time. For example, norovirus can survive on surfaces for two weeks or more, the Coronavirus and MRS/MSSA germs up to 3 days and the flu germ for 2 days. When it comes to bacteria, the survival rate on hard surfaces is even higher with Escherichia coli surviving up to 16 months; Shigella spp., up to 5 months; Salmonella typhi, up to 4 weeks; and Vibrio cholerae, up to one week.
So, while it may seem okay to quickly grab that dropped item, brush it off and keep using it, it’s best to think again and take a moment to grab a clean one instead – for everyone’s health!
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Public Health News:
- Measles cases in the U.S. have risen to 1,575 in 2026, with most infections linked to outbreaks and primarily affecting unvaccinated children and young people. Health officials warn the country could surpass last year’s total and risk losing its measles elimination status. The status will be evaluated in November when the data is assessed by officials.
- Tuberculosis cases in the U.S. slightly declined in 2025 to about 10,260 cases, reversing a recent rise seen after the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted healthcare services. Most cases continue to occur in people born outside the U.S., and rates remain low overall compared to global levels.
- The Democratic Republic of the Congo is experiencing its worst cholera outbreak in 25 years. According to Africa CDC’s March 2026 Epidemic Intelligence Weekly Report, a total of 15,100 suspected cases and 395 deaths (case fatality rate: 2.62%) have been reported from 13 of the country’s 26 provinces, representing a 33% increase in cases and a 67% increase in deaths over the same period in the previous year.
- A young girl in Chile’s Valparaíso Region died from hantavirus in March 2026, marking the second fatal case in the area within a month. Health officials launched an investigation, including inspections of her home and school, to identify possible sources of exposure. Rodent infestations were reported in her school.
- Since 14 Jan 2026, foot and mouth disease (FMD) caused by the SAT1 serotype has affected 7096 susceptible animals in Israel, with 1057 confirmed cases and 15 deaths across cattle, sheep, goats, and mountain gazelles. As of 21 Mar 2026, 17 outbreaks have been reported across multiple regions, including HaZafon, HaDarom, Golan, and Haifa, reflecting a broad geographic spread across diverse production systems. In response, authorities have implemented nationwide control measures, including movement restrictions, quarantine, enhanced surveillance, zoning, and emergency vaccination campaigns.
