Influenza infection prevention services will keep your classroom and office safe and healthy this cold and flu season, and now is the perfect time to get started.
Multiple Outbreaks Cause Influenza Season Concern
Presently, there are three factors causing concern for U.S. public health officials:
- The severity of the recently-ended Australian flu season.
- The flu season in the U.S. has changed since the onset of SARS-CoV-2, and;
- The pervasiveness of the Influenza A(H5N1) avian flu strain in Missouri and Oklahoma.
According to NBC News;
The U.S. may be in for a severe flu season this year if trends in the Southern Hemisphere — historically a seasonal harbinger for the U.S. — hold true.
Flu season in Australia began earlier than usual, which can be an indicator of a severe season.
[The] flu is surging in Australia for the first time since the pandemic began.
Australia is nearing the end of its worst flu season in five years, according to the latest report from the country’s Department of Health and Aged Care.
Australia’s bad flu season is a warning for the U.S. this year
Additionally, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC);
Before the emergence of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, influenza activity in the United States typically began to increase in the fall and peaked in February.
During the 2021–22 season, influenza activity began to increase in November and remained elevated until mid-June, featuring two distinct waves, with A(H3N2) viruses predominating for the entire season.
Although influenza activity is decreasing and circulation during summer is typically low, remaining vigilant for influenza infections, performing testing for seasonal influenza viruses, and monitoring for novel influenza A virus infections are important.
An outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) is ongoing; health care providers and persons exposed to sick or infected birds should remain vigilant for the onset of symptoms consistent with influenza.
Influenza Activity and Composition of the 2022–23 Influenza Vaccine — United States, 2021–22 Season
Vanguard Cleaning Systems of the Ozarks' Cleaning Services for Cold and Flu Season
Vanguard Cleaning Systems of the Ozarks' franchise-owned service providers help stop the spread of flu and the common cold through a combination of:
- Daily wet cleaning activities using commercial-grade soap-based detergents applied with microfiber.
- Routine fomite disinfection services with an EPA-registered disinfectant.
- Adhering to clean for health first measures that focus on effective soil removal, safe cleaning, and targeted disinfection services using the least hazardous products suitable for each environment, and;
- Safe disposal of wastewater and used products to avoid facility or environmental contamination.
Takeaway
The cold and flu season is just around the corner, and this year could be a bad one.
Now is the time to start preparing against a possible early start and prolonged season by contacting a service provider trained and certified in infection prevention and control measures for commercial facilities.
This cold and flu season, remember to:
- Sneeze or cough into your elbow.
- Stay home if you're sick or showing symptoms.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water.
- Clean the occupied areas of your commercial facility every day, and;
- Wipe down germ hotspots like door handles and light switches with an EPA-registered disinfectant.
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