Employers have a critical responsibility to insure that their public spaces, such as entrance lobbies, common areas, rest rooms, kitchens, meeting rooms, gyms, pools, saunas, locker room, etc. are safe from biological hazards, such as Swine Flu (Influenza A:H1N1).
Recent concerns about pandemic flu, illustrate the risks that facilities of all types face due to microbiological diseases. These risks include serious illness or death, expensive building repairs or building shutdowns, financial loss, damage to the building owner’s reputation, as well as potential legal liability.
While many governments and corporations have emergency plans in place for disasters and disease outbreaks, most Owners and Managers have done little to prevent or prepare for disease outbreaks. When such events occur without a plan, Owners and Managers lose precious time in responding.
Rapid, effective response can make the difference between a short-term business issue and an irreversible catastrophe. Owners and Managers should keep in mind the following information and how best to prevent and respond to a possible or actual outbreak.
H1N1 is a new influenza virus causing a growing number of cases around the world. This new virus was first detected in people in April 2009 in the United States. Other countries have reported people sick with this new virus.
Cases of human infection with H1N1 were first confirmed in the U.S. in Southern California and near Guadalupe County, Texas. The outbreak intensified rapidly from that time and more and more states have been reporting cases of illness from this virus. An updated case count of confirmed H1N1 flu infections in the United States is kept by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/investigation.htm <http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/investigation.htm> .
CDC has determined that the H1N1 virus is contagious and is spreading from human to human. However, at this time, it is not known how easily the virus spreads between people.
The symptoms of H1N1 virus in people are similar to the symptoms of regular human flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue.
A significant number of people who have been infected with this virus also have reported diarrhea and vomiting. Also, like seasonal flu, severe illnesses and death has occurred as a result of illness associated with this virus.
Spread of this H1N1 virus is thought to be happening 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 with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.
What Should Property Managers Do to Prevent a Swine Flu Outbreak in Their Buildings?
- Communication and Information Dissemination: It is very important to proactively and regularly communicate with your employees, tenants, owners and any contractors who are in the building. Set up a centralized phone number or social networking group where everyone can get the most up-to date information on their building.
- Institute an Infection Control Policy: Such a policy should be developed in cooperation with your Owner(s) and local health authorities, or a private Industrial Hygiene/Public Health Consultant who can provide the necessary technical information.
The policy should include the following components:
- Goals, basis and philosophy of the policy.
- Banning the use of public facilities by people who are ill (or potentially ill) with flu-like, or other infectious disease.
- Outline of personal hygiene techniques to reduce the potential for person-to-person spread of disease. Hand-washing, covering coughs, proper disposal of potentially contaminated personal items such as tissues, avoiding common telephone use, not sharing towels), etc. Post signage explaining proper hand-washing techniques.
- Requirements and procedures for sanitizing common surfaces (elevator lobbies, door pulls, tables, exercise equipment, laundry rooms, telephones, kitchen surfaces, keyboards, bathroom fixtures, water fountains and coolers, lockers, etc.). Cleaning and sanitation should be based on the characteristics of the common areas, the specific surfaces involved, its usage and traffic patterns. Cleaning protocols should be benchmarked against established guidelines, such as the World Health Organization’s pandemic threat level system, so that sanitation procedures are automatically stepped up as the identified threat increases. Monitor the latest scientific information regularly. Develop effective training programs for maintenance and janitorial staff.
- Convenient provision of hand and surface sanitizers. Either stock or have a resource list of appropriate sanitizers. Select sanitizers that are known to kill the flu virus. Locate disinfectant sprays near phones, keyboards and other work surfaces
- Make a list of all common areas that you may consider temporarily closing if anyone in the building has symptoms consistent with the H1N1 virus.
- Consider temporarily closing the on-site office and direct calls, e-mails and faxes to another location.
- Establish a communication protocol and response plan with local health authorities in the event of serious illness or multiple cases of disease consistent with the H1N1 virus.
- Enforcement responsibilities and penalties.
USEFUL INFORMATION FOR BUILDING OCCUPANTS:
How long can an infected person spread this virus to others?
At the current time, CDC believes that this virus has the same properties in terms of spread as seasonal flu viruses. With seasonal flu, studies have shown that people may be contagious from one day before they develop symptoms to up to 7 days after they get sick. Children, especially younger children, might potentially be contagious for longer periods. CDC is studying the virus and its capabilities to try to learn more and will provide more information as it becomes available.
What surfaces are most likely to be sources of contamination?
Germs can be spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth. Droplets from a cough or sneeze of an infected person move through the air. Germs can be spread when a person touches respiratory droplets from another person on a surface like a desk, for example, and then touches their own eyes, mouth or nose before washing their hands.
What can I do to protect myself from getting sick?
First and most important: wash your hands. Try to stay in good general health. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food. Try not to touch surfaces that may be contaminated with the flu virus. Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Vaccine against the new H1N1 virus is now available. Large supplies are scheduled to be shipped beginning in the fall of 2009. While there is some preliminary uncertainty about where the vaccines will be available, it is recommended that you contact your local or County Health Department to find out where and when you can receive the vaccination. Health Departments will be working with local medical providers and other health agencies to distribute the vaccines for community access.
The Federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recommended that the following groups receive the vaccine before others:
- pregnant women
- people who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age
- health care and emergency medical services personnel with direct patient contact
- children 6 months through 4 years of age, and children 5 through 18 years of age who have chornic medical conditions
People 10 years old and above will only require one dose of vaccine. Children less than 10 years old will require 2 doses, approximately 4 weeks apart. Specific guidelines for vaccination should be discussed with your doctor or Health Department.
In the meantime, there are everday actions that can help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses like influenza. Take these common 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, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
- Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
- Stay home if you are sick for 7 days after your symptoms begin or until you have been symptom-free for 24 hours, whichever is longer. This is to keep from infecting others and spreading the virus further.
Other important actions that you can take are:
- Follow public health advice regarding building closures, avoiding crowds and other social distancing measures.
- Be prepared in case you get sick and need to stay home for a week or so; a supply of over-the-counter medicines, alcohol-based hand rubs, tissues and other related items might could be useful and help avoid the need to make trips out in public while you are sick and contagious.
What is the best way to keep from spreading the virus through coughing or sneezing?
If you are sick, limit your contact with other people as much as possible. Do not go to work if ill for 7 days or until your symptoms go away (whichever is longer). Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick. Put your used tissue in the waste basket. Cover your cough or sneeze if you do not have a tissue. Then, clean your hands, and do so every time you cough or sneeze.
What is the best technique for washing my hands to avoid getting the flu?
Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs. Wash with soap and water or clean with alcohol-based hand cleaner. We recommend that when you wash your hands — with soap and warm water — that you wash for 15 to 20 seconds. When soap and water are not available, alcohol-based disposable hand wipes or gel sanitizers may be used. You can find them in most supermarkets and drugstores. If using gel, rub your hands until the gel is dry. The gel doesn’t need water to work; the alcohol in it kills the germs on your hands.
What should I do if I get sick?
If you live or work in areas where cases have been identified and become ill with influenza-like symptoms, including fever, body aches, runny nose, sore throat, nausea, or vomiting or diarrhea, you may want to contact their health care provider, particularly if you are worried about your symptoms.
Your health care provider will determine whether influenza testing or treatment is needed.
If you are sick, you should stay home and avoid contact with other people as much as possible to keep from spreading your illness to others.
If you become ill and experience any of the following warning signs, seek emergency medical care.
In children emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:
- Fast breathing or trouble breathing
- Bluish or gray skin color
- Not drinking enough fluids
- Not waking up or not interacting
- Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
- Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
- Fever with a rash
In adults, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
- Sudden dizziness
- Confusion
- Severe or persistent vomiting
How long can influenza virus remain viable on objects (such as books and doorknobs)?
Studies have shown that influenza virus can survive on environmental surfaces and can infect a person for up to 2-8 hours after being deposited on the surface.
What kills influenza virus?
Influenza virus is destroyed by heat (167-212°F [75-100°C]). In addition, several chemical germicides, including chlorine, hydrogen peroxide, detergents (soap), iodophors (iodine-based antiseptics), and alcohols are effective against human influenza viruses if used in proper concentration for a sufficient length of time. For example, wipes or gels with alcohol in them can be used to clean hands. The gels should be rubbed into hands until they are dry.
How should waste disposal be handled to prevent the spread of influenza virus?
To prevent the spread of influenza virus, it is recommended that tissues and other disposable items used by an infected person be thrown in the trash. Additionally, persons should wash their hands with soap and water after touching used tissues and similar waste.
What cleaners should be done to prevent the spread of influenza virus?
To prevent the spread of influenza virus it is important to keep surfaces (especially commonly used surfaces, such as tables, surfaces in the bathroom and kitchen counters clean by wiping them down with a household disinfectant according to directions on the product label.
How should linens, eating utensils and dishes of persons infected with influenza virus be handled?
Linens, eating utensils, and dishes belonging to those who are sick do not need to be cleaned separately, but importantly these items should not be shared without washing thoroughly first.
Linens (such as table cloths and towels) should be washed by using household laundry soap and tumbled dry on a hot setting. Individuals should avoid “hugging” laundry prior to washing it to prevent contaminating themselves. Individuals should wash their hands with soap and water or alcohol-based hand rub immediately after handling dirty laundry.
Eating utensils should be washed either in a dishwasher or by hand with water and soap.