flu

Cleaning protocols for flu season

Gaétan Lanthier
A modern office with employees using multiple cleaning protocols while it is flu season. Employees are using face masks and gloves to clean surfaces and disinfect.

Flu season presents a major challenge for businesses, with an increased risk of absenteeism and reduced productivity. Flu viruses spread quickly in enclosed spaces, especially when cleaning protocols are not adequately followed. This article proposes effective strategies to enhance cleaning protocols during this critical period, protecting the health of your employees and ensuring the continuity of your operations.

Understanding how the flu virus spread

Modes of transmission

  1. Respiratory droplets: Sneezing, coughing, and talking spread droplets containing the virus.
  2. Contact with contaminated surfaces: The virus can survive for several hours on frequently touched surfaces.
  3. Interpersonal transmission: Close contact between individuals facilitates the spread.

High-Risk surfaces

  1. Door handles
  2. Light switches
  3. Keyboards and mice
  4. Phones
  5. Common areas such as meeting rooms and cafeterias

Enhancing cleaning protocols

Increasing cleaning frequency

  1. Daily cleaning: Ensure daily cleaning of frequently touched surfaces.
  2. Regular disinfection: Use effective disinfectants against viruses to eliminate pathogens.

Using appropriate disinfection products

  1. Approved disinfectants: Choose products known for their effectiveness against flu viruses.
  2. Contact time: Adhere to the recommended contact time for maximum efficacy.
  3. Safety: Ensure that the products used are safe for employees and the environment.

Training Personnel

  1. Proper techniques: Train staff on effective cleaning and disinfection methods.
  2. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Wear gloves, masks, and, if necessary, gowns for protection.
  3. Personal hygiene: Encourage handwashing after each cleaning session.

Involving All Employees

Hand Hygiene

  1. Sanitization stations: Install hand sanitizer dispensers at strategic locations.
  2. Informative signage: Place posters reminding employees of the importance of handwashing.

Respiratory etiquette

  1. Cover mouth and nose: Use a tissue or the elbow when coughing or sneezing.
  2. Disposable tissues: Provide tissues and closed bins for disposal.

Sick Leave Policies

  1. Encourage rest: Urge sick employees to stay home to avoid contamination.
  2. Remote work: Offer remote work options where possible.

Improving Indoor Air Quality

Ventilation

  1. HVAC Systems: Maintain and regularly clean heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems.
  2. Natural ventilation: Open windows to renew air when conditions allow.

Air purifiers

  1. HEPA Filters: Install air purifiers with HEPA filters to remove viral particles.

Surveillance and communication

Monitoring absences

  1. Identify trends: Quickly detect an increase in flu-related absences.
  2. Rapid response: Strengthen cleaning measures if necessary.

Informing staff

  1. Regular updates: Communicate the evolving situation and measures taken.
  2. Education: Provide resources on flu prevention.

Conclusion

Flu season requires heightened vigilance in cleaning and prevention. By implementing strengthened protocols and involving all staff, businesses can significantly reduce the risk of virus spread. These efforts help maintain a healthy work environment, ensuring the smooth operation of your business.

How to prepare for flu season

Sara Lafond
Source: Pixabay

It’s that dreaded time of year again: winter, a.k.a flu season. Each year, 10-25% of Canadians get the flu (Cascades Pro, 2019), and although a common occurrence during the winter time, if not treated properly, some flu cases can lead to severe consequences, such as hospitalization. The Canadian government’s public health page estimates that each year cases of influenza cause about 12,200 hospitalizations and 3,500 deaths.

Cascades PRO (2019) suggests the following to avoid getting the flu this season

  • Get vaccinated! According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), getting vaccinated is the best way to avoid getting the flu, especially for people with weakened immune systems.
  • Wash your hands. It seems like basic knowledge that washing your hands will help you avoid getting sick, however many people either don’t know how to wash their hands properly or don’t take the time to do it. Take the time to look at proper hand-washing instruction posters, which are often posted in public restrooms, and follow those instructions in order to avoid the flu!
  • Clean and disinfect surfaces. Wherever you work, every surface (desks, chairs, etc.) has the potential of being contaminated, especially high-contact surfaces. Make sure to clean them often, using disinfectant materials such as wipes, rags, etc.
  • Stay home if you have the flu. If you contract influenza, you should stay home, as you don’t want to put others at risk. Take care of yourself and get some rest!

Last year’s flu season saw a higher-than-usual number of influenza cases in Canada and that same trend is predicted for this year’s season. Keep these tips in mind and take care of yourself this flu season!

Sources:

https://www.pro.cascades.com/fr/nouvelle/quatre-conseils-pour-combattre-la-grippe-cet-hiver?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_content=2019_FR&utm_campaign=RB_January&oft_id=863729&oft_k=QDm96mJG&oft_lk=wvwso7&oft_d=636834086957300000

https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/flu-influenza/health-professionals.html

Will Quebec experience a higher than usual number of influenza cases again this year?

Sara Lafond

From December 2017 to February 2018, across all types of healthcare facilities in Quebec, the number of Influenza cases was much higher than anticipated. While the number of cases were high all across Canada, Quebec seems to have experienced the greatest number of flu cases. In Canada, in the week from Feb. 4 – Feb. 10, the overall percentage of positive tests for the flu went from 31% to 34%!

Source: PxHere

Influenza A and influenza B were the two types of flu viruses in circulation in Quebec. For A, the most common flu type in Quebec was A(H3N2), which made up about 95% of flu cases. As for B, the virus B/Phuket was the dominant one. While there were reported cases of both influenza A and B, the more shocking of the two was the elevated numbers of influenza B, which usually only starts to see an increase in cases during the month of March. This increase in B during the months of December to February is primarily responsible for the higher numbers of flu cases.

The former Quebec Minister of Health and Social services stresses that the number of flu cases are still very high. It is recommended by the government that people get the flu vaccine, especially if they have a weakened immune system.

In addition to this, we’d like to offer you some further advice on how to prevent the flu:

  1. Frequently wash your hands with an antibacterial soap.
  2. If you do not have soap or water, use an antibacterial wipe to clean your hands.
  3. Disinfect high-touch surfaces with a disinfectant.
  4. Finally, avoid touching your face if possible; apparently we touch our faces about 5000 times per day, which is not only gross, but can make us sick!

Source: http://publications.msss.gouv.qc.ca/msss/document-001973/ (Volume 8, numéro 3).