The media has been abuzz with concern over the introduction of 2 viruses to the United States.
The first is widespread – Enterovirus D68 (EV D68). This respiratory illness is spread when an infected person coughs, sneezes and touches a surface contacted by others. Already this year the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports:
“From mid-August to October 9, 2014, a total of 678 people in 46 states and the District of Columbia have been confirmed to have respiratory illness caused by EV-D68.”
The primary means of preventing transmission is to practice thorough and frequent hand washing. While the cleaning industry can do little to impact the public’s diligence to cover coughs and sneezes or to enforce hand washing practices, the industry can support healthier indoor environments by using suitable products to treat high-contact surfaces and those potentially contaminated.
Here is guidance from the CDC regarding EV D68 treatment: As EV-D68 is a non-enveloped virus, environmental disinfection of surfaces in healthcare settings should be performed using a hospital-grade disinfectant with an EPA label claim for any of several non-enveloped viruses (e.g. Norovirus, poliovirus, rhinovirus).
The second and more deadly is the Ebola virus. Ebola, previously known as Ebola hemorrhagic fever, is a severe, often fatal disease in humans and nonhuman primates (such as monkeys, gorillas, and chimpanzees). Ebola is a rare and deadly disease caused by infection with a virus of the family Filoviridae, genus Ebolavirus. There are five identified Ebolavirus species, four of which have caused disease in humans: Zaire ebolavirus; Sudan ebolavirus; Taï Forest ebolavirus, formerly Côte d’Ivoire ebolavirus; and Bundibugyo ebolavirus. The fifth, Reston
ebolavirus, has caused disease in nonhuman primates but not in humans.
Ebola is found in several African countries. The first Ebola species was discovered in 1976 near the Ebola River in what is now the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Since then, outbreaks have appeared sporadically in Africa. The natural reservoir host of Ebola remains unknown. However, on the basis of available evidence and the nature of similar viruses, researchers believe that the virus is animal-borne with bats being the most likely reservoir. Four of the
five subtypes occur in an animal host native to Africa.
With Ebola now being reported in the United States, Kaivac will begin a series of safety tips designed specifically for those in the professional cleaning industry.
"As in the past with other . . . outbreaks [affecting public health], our industry will likely play a crucial role in conquering this one," says Matt Morrison, Communications Manager for Kaivac. "But in order to accomplish this, the first step [we must take] is protecting our own health."
Accordingly, Morrison says cleaning pros should implement the following steps when using and cleaning public restrooms:
1. Wash your hands in hot, soapy water before using or cleaning the restroom; accept the fact that any surface you have touched before entering the restroom might have been contaminated.
2. Avoid placing anything on the restroom counter or on the floor; should the counter or floor be contaminated, germs and bacteria potentially could be transferred from the surface to your hands when you pick up the items.
3. When using a restroom stall, always grab toilet paper before touching the partition door handle...before and after use.
4. Use a paper towel to turn manual faucets off and on.
5. Before using a toilet or urinal, flush first; stand a couple of feet away from the fixture when it is being flushed to avoid any "spray" from the fixture.
6. Use a toilet seat cover, or use toilet paper to create a makeshift toilet seat cover.
7. If a restroom looks unusually soiled, look for another restroom to use; if cleaning an unusually soiled restroom, accept the fact that every surface may be contaminated, and take added precautions (wear gloves, wear goggles, avoid skin contact with soiled items or surfaces).
8. In place of traditional cleaning methods, select what ISSA calls "spray-and-vac" cleaning systems to avoid direct contact with surfaces.
9. Wash hands again after cleaning restrooms, and have paper towels at hand so you do not have to grab them from a dispenser.
Some of these practices are common practice, some are new and require attention and diligence. SECC has taken the steps to train all of our in the field personnel to use these techniques regularly. For more information on our commercial cleaning solutions email us here.
