What are the important measures in countering Swine Flu?
According to the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in human beings the symptoms of swine flu are similar to those of influenza and of influenza-like illness in general. Symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat body aches, headache, chills and fatigue.
Recommendations to prevent spread of the virus among human beings include using standard infection control against influenza. This means frequent washing of hands with soap and water or with alcohol-based sanitizers, especially after being out in the public area. It is also important to sanitize and clean hard surfaces in contact with hands.
Experts agree that hand washing could help prevent viral infections, including ordinary influenza and the new swine flue virus. Influenza could spread through cough or sneeze, but an increasing body of evidence shows that little particles of virus could linger on tabletops, telephones and other surfaces and be transferred through fingers to the mouth, nose or eyes. Alcohol-based gel or foam hand sanitizers work well to destroy viruses and bacteria.
To maintain infection control, we suggest the following measures:
- Replace existing hand wash in the washrooms with anti bacterial hand wash (FDA licensed)
- Install instant hand sanitizer dispensers / bottles at entry point to building/washroom/cafeterias and work areas.
- Alternatively, to improve compliance in public establishments such as hotels, hospitals, airports and large offices, staff can carry dispenser bottles of hand sanitizers to make the guest use them.
- Instruct all housekeeping staff to use alcohol-based cleaning spray with disposable tissues on door handles and gates, taps in washrooms and cafeteria tables.
- Anyone with flu-like symptoms such as a sudden fever, cough or muscle aches should stay away from work or public transportation and should see a doctor to be tested.