Novel H1N1 (Swine) Flu Preparedness Guide & Product Recommendations
Staying Healthy Tips
Facility Cleaning & Disinfecting
WAXIE Disinfectants
Swine Flu Protection
Links & Resources
FAQs
Pandemic Preparedness
Manual
Visit the H1N1 online catalog of suggested prevention products |
Overview
Novel 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. Other countries, including Mexico and Canada, have reported people sick with this new virus. The Novel H1N1 virus is spreading from person-to-person, probably in much the same way that regular seasonal influenza viruses spread.
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 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 avian genes and human genes. Scientists call this a “quadruple reassortant” virus.
Symptoms
The symptoms of novel H1N1 (swine) flu virus in people are similar to the symptoms of seasonal flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, 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.
Severity
CDC is still learning about the severity of novel H1N1 (swine) flu virus. At this time, there is not enough information to predict how severe novel H1N1 (swine) flu outbreak will be in terms of illness and death or how it will compare with seasonal influenza.
With seasonal flu, we know that seasons vary in terms of timing, duration and severity. Seasonal influenza can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. Each year, in the United States, on average 36,000 people die from flu-related complications and more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu-related causes. Of those hospitalized, 20,000 are children younger than 5 years old. Over 90% of deaths and about 60% of hospitalization occur in people older than 65.
So far, with novel H1N1 (swine) flu, the largest number of novel H1N1 (swine) flu confirmed and probable cases have occurred in people between the ages of 5 and 24-years-old. At this time, there are few cases and no deaths reported in people older than 64 years old, which is unusual when compared with seasonal flu. However, pregnancy and other previously recognized high risk medical conditions from seasonal influenza appear to be associated with increased risk of complications from this novel H1N1 (swine) flu.
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STAYING HEALTHY TIPS
WAXIE’s Green Partner Support Program promotes workplace wellness and encourages the following practices to stay healthy.
The CDC recommends following Infection Control Procedures for controlling the novel H1N1 (swine) flu. These procedures recommend proper hand washing and using a hospital grade broad spectrum disinfectant to control this strain of influenza type A. While no one currently will have a kill claim for this specific strain, there are several WAXIE disinfectants with an influenza type A claim. In addition, we have many additional national brand disinfectants that we distribute that will also carry these particular claims. Therefore, our best recommendation to our customers at this time is to follow the CDC guidelines and use a hospital grade disinfectant with an influenza A claim until CDC provides further information and recommendations.
Clean Hands Save Lives!
Keeping hands clean is one of the most important steps we can take to avoid getting sick and spreading germs to others. It is best to wash your hands with soap and clean running water for 20 seconds. However, if soap and clean water are not available, use an alcohol-based product to clean your hands. Alcohol-based hand rubs significantly reduce the number of germs on skin and are fast acting.
When washing hands with soap and water:
Wet your hands with clean running water and apply soap. Use warm water if it is available.
Rub hands together to make a lather and scrub all surfaces.
Continue rubbing hands for 20 seconds. Need a timer? Imagine singing "Happy Birthday" twice through to a friend!
Rinse hands well under running water
Dry your hands using a paper towel or air dryer (consider deleting hand dryer). If possible, use your paper towel to turn off the faucet, and open the restroom door
When should you wash your hands?
Before preparing or eating food
After going to the bathroom
After changing diapers or cleaning up a child who has gone to the bathroom
Before and after tending to someone who is sick
After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
After handling an animal or animal waste
After handling garbage
Before and after treating a cut or wound
Remember: If soap and water are not available, use alcohol-based gel to clean hands.
When using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer:
Apply product to the palm of one hand
Rub hands together
Rub the product over all surfaces of hands and fingers until hands are dry.
Our best recommendation to our customers at this time is to follow the CDC guidelines and use hand sanitizers until CDC provides further information and recommendations.
The following WAXIE hand sanitizers currently would meet the criteria stated above:
Purell Instant Hand Sanitizer Gel
62% ethyl alcohol effectively sanitizes hands without water or towels and quickly evaporates leaving no residual odor. Contains emollients to help condition hands and has a pleasant, light fragrance. Extremely gentle, to be used as a supplement to proper handwashing, not as a substitute. Meets FDA protocol for Healthcare Personnel Hand Wash and FDA guidelines on OTC Topical Alcohol Antimicrobial Products.
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FACILITY CLEANING & DISINFECTING
General Facilities: Influenza viruses may live on hard surfaces for up to two days. Evaluate and implement measures to minimize the transmission of the virus through environmental sources, specifically hard surfaces. Train custodial personnel on flu transmission methods. Establish standards for use of personal protective equipment. Train all custodial employees on the proper use and disposal of personal protective equipment. As frequently as is practical, clean hard surfaces that are commonly touched by employees with a neutral detergent followed by a disinfectant solution.
Hard surfaces may include:
• Hand rails
• Door knobs/handles
• Elevator buttons
• Sinks and Faucets
• Counter tops
• Window Sills
• Light Switches
• Equipment controls
• Cabinet and file drawer knobs/handles
• Vending machines
• Chair arms
• Copier/printer/fax control buttons
Augment custodial services by providing sanitary wipes to all departments and encouraging employees to frequently (several times per day) sanitize surfaces that employees are in contact with. Emphasize sanitation of items that are used close to the face, such as telephones, hands-free microphones, radios, hard-hats, and similar items. Place sanitizing wipes in company vehicles with reminders to wipe down steering wheels and gear shifters before and after use. The use of hand-held black lights and phosphorescent powder can be used to detect viral and bacterial residues.
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WAXIE DISINFECTANTS
The following WAXIE disinfectants currently would meet the criteria stated above:
- 170200 Solsta #320 Disinfectant Bathroom Cleaner
- US EPA Registration No. 1839-168-14994
- 170284, 170282, 170285 WAXIE Spring Clean Mint Odor Disinfectant
- US EPA Registration No. 1839-168-14994
- 170400 Solsta #710 Multi-Purpose Disinfectant Cleaner
- US EPA Registration No. 1839-167-14994
- 170401 Solsta #710 (PDC) Multi-Purpose Disinfectant Cleaner
- US EPA Registration No. 1839-167-14994
- 170300 Solsta #700 Disinfectant Cleaner
- US EPA Registration No. 1839-166-14994
- 170304, 170302 WAXIE Quat-128 US
- EPA Registration No. 1839-166-14994
- 172010, 172012 Powdered Detergent/Disinfectant
- US EPA Registration No. 1839-93-14994
- 170041 WAXIE Hospital Spray
- 170081 WAXIE Swish
- All GOJO Purell Instant Hand Sanitizing Gel Products and Wipes
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NOVEL H1N1 (SWINE) FLU PROTECTION
The best protection from the spread of the NOVEL H1N1 (Swine) Flu is:
- Cleaning and disinfecting surfaces with an EPA registered disinfectant cleaner, especially high touch surfaces
- Washing your hands frequently with soap and water
- Use of a hand sanitizer
- Cover coughs and sneezes
- Avoid being around any one with flu-like symptoms
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LINKS & RESOURCES
For more information go to the CDC website at
www.cdc.gov
To view additional information, click on any of the following websites:
Additional resources and information:
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FAQS
Frequently asked Questions
- What is novel H1N1 (Swine) Flu?
- Novel H1N1 (swine) Influenza is a new influenza virus causing illness in people
- Novel H1N1 (swine) flu is a type A influenza virus that has two genes from flu viruses that normally circulate in pigs in Europe and Asia and avian genes and human genes – scientists call this a “quadruple reassortant” virus
- Is The novel H1N1 (Swine) Flu Virus Contagious?
- CDC has determined that the novel 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
- What are the signs and symptoms of
novel H1N1 (Swine) Flu in people?
- Similar to the symptoms of regular human flu
- Include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue
- Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with novel H1N1 (swine) flu
- Like seasonal flu, novel H1N1 (swine) flu may cause a worsening of underlying chronic medical conditions
- How Does H1N1 (Swine) Flu Spread?
- Flu viruses are spread mainly from person to
person through coughing or sneezing of 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 I Do To Keep From
Getting The Flu?
- 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 touch surfaces that may be contaminated with the flu virus
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick
- What Is The Best Technique For
Washing My Hands To Avoid Getting The Flu?
- Wash your hands in warm water, use soap and lather up for about 10 to 15 seconds
(antibacterial soap isn’t necessary — any soap will do)
- Make sure you get in between the fingers and under the nails where uninvited germs like to hang out, rinse and dry well with a clean towel
- When soap and water are not available, alcohol-based disposable hand wipes or gel sanitizers may be used
- If using gel, rub your hands until the gel is dry
- What are some Prevention Practices?
- Facilities should ensure the availability of materials for adhering to Respiratory Hygiene/ Cough Etiquette
- Hand soap and proper use of personal protective equipment
- Conveniently located dispensers of alcohol-based hand sanitizers and facial tissues
- Follow the CDC recommened Infection Control Procedures for controlling the H1N1 (swine) flu
- Frequently clean hard surfaces that are commonly touched by employees with a neutral detergent followed by a disinfectant solution
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