Which infectious disease requires frequent hand-washing instead of using alcohol-based hand gel?

The focus on frequent hand-washing instead of using alcohol-based hand gel is particularly essential for handling an active Clostridium difficile infection (C. diff). C. diff is a spore-forming bacterium that causes severe diarrhea and is often associated with antibiotic use. The spores can survive on surfaces and are resistant to alcohol-based sanitizers. Therefore, thorough hand-washing with soap and water is crucial to effectively remove the spores from the hands, reducing the risk of further transmission.

In contrast, while other options also require good hand hygiene practices, the specific transmission dynamics of C. diff necessitate that hand-washing is the preferred method to ensure adequate decontamination.