RSV, Flu & Norovirus Prevention

Flu, Norovirus, and RSV Prevention

The outbreaks of RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) and Norovirus have made headlines nationwide. While flu and norovirus typically peak from autumn to spring, RSV has unusually persisted beyond its usual season, which typically peaks in July in the United States. This extended RSV season has led to an estimated 58,000-80,000 hospitalizations among children younger than 5 years old and 60,000-120,000 hospitalizations among adults 65 and older.

The outbreaks of RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) and Norovirus significantly impact the health of our building occupants and communities. According to CDC data, these three highly contagious viruses result in approximately 430,000 hospitalizations annually. Ensuring the health of our students, employees, and customers is our top priority. Facility management plays a crucial role in maintaining a safe and healthy environment for working, learning, and continuing our daily routines. By implementing proper cleaning strategies, using the right supplies, and providing expert training and educational tools, we can help protect our building occupants against this season's viral trifecta.

With all three viral pathogens in circulation this flu season, helping your building occupants avoid getting sick is more important than ever. At first glance, this may seem like a daunting task given the seasonal “tridemic” on the rise, but with these six steps you can help prevent the spread of the flu, RSV and norovirus.

an image of an office with multiple co-workers

Step 1: Enhanced Hand Hygiene Solutions

80% of all infectious diseases are spread by touch – clean hands save lives and create a healthier building environment.

Encourage your building occupants to practice the 1-2-3 of Hand Hygiene, which is:

Wash hands with soap and clean water
Dry hands with clean paper hand towels
Apply hand sanitizer

Step 2: Comprehensive Surface Cleaning Solutions

Dirty surfaces create ideal conditions for pathogenic microbes to survive and thrive – clean surfaces decrease pathogenic microbes and create a healthier building environment:

Cleaning Chemicals - restrooms, hard floors, carpets, general surfaces
Cleaning Chemical Dispensing Systems
Cleaning Tools - microfiber, mops, wipes, brushes, scrubbing pads
Cleaning Equipment

disinfecting railings in commercial building

Step 3: High-Touch Surface Disinfecting Solutions

High-touch surfaces are a potential source for pathogen transfer to building occupants – targeted disinfection of high-touch surfaces will inactivate and suppress the growth of harmful pathogens and create a healthier building environment:

Disinfectant Chemicals
Disinfectant Wipes
Cleaning Chemical and Disinfectant Dispensing Systems
Disinfectant Applicators - Sprayers, buckets, wipes, misters, foggers, electrostatic sprayers

healthcare worker wearing face mask disinfecting patient bed

Step 4: Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and Safety Solutions

Cleaning and disinfecting facilities results in opportunities for potential exposure to hazards – appropriate use of PPE will protect users against these health and safety risks, and create a healthier building environment:

Gloves
Safety glasses, goggles, and face shields
Face masks and respirators
Aprons, gowns, booties, and apparel
Thermometers

Step 5: Indoor Biological Pollutant Source Control Solutions

Other sources for indoor pollutants and pathogens can be found throughout a facility – identifying these sources and employing effective facility maintenance strategies can limit potential exposure to indoor pollutants and pathogens and create a healthier building environment:

Entryway matting
Waste, recycling & compost receptacles and liners
Drain maintenance - bioactive chemistry and trap seals
Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) - odor control, vent cleaning, air filtration and purification

Step 6: Cleaning Industry Expertise and Training Solutions

Misapplication and misuse of cleaning and disinfecting solutions can lead to ineffective results and even potential injury – partnering with a trusted adviser can help to optimize results and create a healthier building environment: