Information about the H1N1 virus (swine flu) has been circulating quite a bit recently in the news and from all media outlets. As your cleaning company we want to take an active role in providing up to date information regarding this topic and how to help protect your facility and employees from infection. As a business owner or manager you have the responsibility of providing a safe work environment for your employees. We want to help provide real solutions to the challenges you face. We hope the information we have included will help you make informed decisions regarding your facility and also show the steps we are taking in helping to keep your facility as safe as possible through the cleaning methods and products we use.
The information we included is from the Center for Disease Control. Each week the CDC analyzes information about influenza disease activity in the United States and publishes findings of key flu indicators in a report called FluView Currently in the state of Oklahoma and the entire southern half of the United States the swine flu is considered “widespread”. This does not indicate the severity but merely the amount of activity reported. I am sure at this point we all have been or know of someone who has been affected in some way.
Our goal is to simply provide information that will not only help raise the awareness but more importantly provide solutions to help prevent anyone from your facility contracting this virus which could adversely affect the productivity and profitability of your business.
Let’s start by gaining a basic understanding of the H1N1 virus and how it spreads and what can be done to help prevent it.
What is 2009 H1N1 (swine flu)?
2009 H1N1 (referred to as “swine flu” early on) is a new influenza virus causing illness in people. This new virus was first detected in people in the United States in April 2009. This virus is spreading from person-to-person worldwide, probably in much the same way that regular seasonal influenza viruses spread. On June 11, 2009, the World Health Organization (WHO) signaled that a pandemic of 2009 H1N1 flu was underway.
Why is 2009 H1N1 virus sometimes called “swine flu”?
This virus was originally referred to as “swine flu” because laboratory testing showed that many of the genes in this new virus were very similar to influenza viruses that normally occur in pigs (swine) in North America. But further study has shown that this new virus is very different from what normally circulates in North American pigs. It has two genes from flu viruses that normally circulate in pigs in Europe and Asia and bird (avian) genes and human genes.
How does 2009 H1N1 virus spread?
Spread of 2009 H1N1 virus is thought to occur in the same way that seasonal flu spreads. Flu viruses are spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing by people with influenza. Sometimes people may become infected by touching something – such as a surface or object – with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.
What are the signs and symptoms of this virus in people?
The symptoms of 2009 H1N1 flu virus in people include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people may have vomiting and diarrhea. People may be infected with the flu, including 2009 H1N1 and have respiratory symptoms without a fever. Severe illnesses and death has occurred as a result of illness associated with this virus.
What can I do to protect myself from getting sick?
There is no vaccine available right now to protect against 2009 H1N1 virus. However, a 2009 H1N1 vaccine is currently in production and may be ready for the public in the fall. As always, a vaccine will be available to protect against seasonal influenza
There are everyday actions that can help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses like influenza.
Take these everyday steps to protect your health:
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.*
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
- Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
- If you are sick with flu-like illness, CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. (Your fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.) Keep away from others as much as possible to keep from making others sick.
Actions Employers Should Take Now
- Review or establish a flexible influenza pandemic plan and involve your employees in developing and reviewing your plan;
- Conduct a focused discussion or exercise using your plan, to find out ahead of time whether the plan has gaps or problems that need to be corrected before flu season;
- Have an understanding of your organization’s normal seasonal absenteeism rates and know how to monitor your personnel for any unusual increases in absenteeism through the fall and winter.
- Engage state and local health department to confirm channels of communication and methods for dissemination of local outbreak information;
- Allow sick workers to stay home without fear of losing their jobs;
- Develop other flexible leave policies to allow workers to stay home to care for sick family members or for children if schools dismiss students or child care programs close;
- Share your influenza pandemic plan with employees and explain what human resources policies, workplace and leave flexibilities, and pay and benefits will be available to them;
- Share best practices with other businesses in your communities (especially those in your supply chain), chambers of commerce, and associations to improve community response efforts; and
Add a “widget” or “button” to your company Web page or employee Web sites so employees can access the latest information on influenza: www.cdc.gov/widgets/
Steps Anago is taking:
Anago has strategically partnered with Proctor and Gamble to help provide the best in products to keep your facility clean. We have listed some of the procedural steps and products we use in keeping your facility germ free.
P&G’s comprehensive sanitation program (including products and procedures) for the foodservice and janitorial businesses are designed to help prevent the general transmission of viruses and other pathogens that cause illness.
A few examples of areas we pay special attention to include:
Door knobs/handle, Sink faucets, Counter tops, Phones, Chairs, Tables, Handrails, Elevator buttons, Light switches, Toilet handles, and Office equipment
The has EPA posted information on their website listing over 500 disinfectant products registered for use on hard, non-porous surfaces against influenza A viruses. EPA believes, based on available scientific information, that the currently registered influenza A virus products will be effective against the 2009-H1N1 flu strain and other influenza A virus strains on hard, non-porous surfaces.
The following products have been registered with the EPA to kill the influenza A virus and are most commonly used in facilities for everyday cleaning.
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Spic and Span Disinfecting All-Purpose Spray and Glass Cleaner |
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P&G Pro Line Disinfecting Floor Cleaner |
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Comet Disinfecting Bathroom Cleaner |
We can also provide other products that can help prevent the spread of the viruses such as hand soaps and hand sanitizers. We can provide foaming hand sanitizers with or with out alcohol for your facility and foaming hand soaps that are effective against MRSA and H1N1.
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Aero Green Ideal for General Industry, Healthcare, Schools, Manufacturing and Office Environments Eliminates 99.99% of germs and bacteria |
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InstantFOAM® Alcohol |
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InstantFOAM® Non-Alcohol InstantFOAMTM Non-Alcohol - Foaming Hand Sanitizer - 99.99% effective against common germs & bacteria |
Deb InstantFOAM® is a unique*, hypo-allergenic, alcohol-based hand sanitiser which is dispensed into the hands as a foam. The fast acting and highly effective formula kills 99.999% of most common germs, helping to reduce the risk of the spread of infection diseases.Deb InstantFOAM® is scientifically tested to be 99.999% effective.
We hope this information has been beneficial to you and we are here to help in anyway. If you have any questions please give us a call and we will do our best to help. New information continues to come out and we will try to keep our customers up to date on any significant changes.