Swine Flu: A Preventable Threat

April 13th, 2009 marked the first reported case of Swine Flu crossing over from animals to human beings. While the outbreak may have originated in Mexico, international travel has since spread the disease to Israel, New Zealand, Spain, the United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States.  The United States is second only to Mexico in number of infected people.  As of April 29th, the US government has recorded 91 cases of Swine Flu.  According to the US Centers for Disease Control, April 29th also marks the first confirmed death from Swine flu. Since this incident, the disease has successfully passed between people in at least two different countries in two different regions of the world. In response to this, the World Health Organization has declared a level 5 alert for Swine flu, meaning that a pandemic is imminent.

While the threat of a pandemic is now looming around the corner, Swine flu is not as serious as the diseases one might think of when the word, “pandemic,” is thrown around. Swine flu is not the next black plague, but it is a very serious threat to the health and well being of many American citizens.

The Swine influenza A (H1N1) virus originated in pigs, but after a series of genetic mutations, was able to adapt to infect flies, and subsequently humans. Two common antiviral medicines used in the treatment of Influenza A, Symmetrel and Flumadine, have shown no effect on (H1N1). While two other antiviral medications, Tamiflu and Relenza, have shown a small effect on the virus, Doctors have yet to find a truly effective treatment for the disease.

The common influenza virus and Swine Influenza A (H1N1) effect people in similar ways. Infected persons have reported common flu like symptoms, such as fever, coughs, vomiting, diarrhea, chills, and sore throats. However, some patients have contracted respiratory illnesses such as nasal congestion, dyspnea, and rinorrhea. Recorded Swine Influenza A (H1N1) fatalities have been linked to pneumonia and respiratory failure. Doctors studying the disease believe that (H1N1) can weaken the immune system and severely worsen immunodeficiencies and existing respiratory conditions.  

Swine Influenza A (H1N1) is spread between people through coughing and close personal contact. Contact with surfaces touched by an infected person (such as doorknobs, telephones, beds, gym equipment, keyboards, and children’s toys) have also been known to spread the virus. While (H1N1) generally only lives for a few hours outside a host, the burgeoning pandemic of a serious disease with no real treatment should inspire responsible building owners and managers to take proper precautions in case an outbreak . Buildings and public use centers with reported outbreaks could become dangerous and even deadly to children, the elderly, and to people with immunodeficiency or chronic heart or respiratory problems.

Bio-Clean’s team of qualified bio-technicians are ready to sanitize, disinfect and secure any compromised area at a moment’s notice. If an outbreak occurs, our crew will come to the scene equipped with bio-protective suits, goggles, pathogen-grade respirators, and necessary materials to completely seal off the vicinity. Any attempt to remediate a compromised area without these critical components could result in the infection of those attempting to clean. If the (H1N1) virus is not taken care of by listened OSHA-trained professionals with necessary safety gear, Swine flu could spread across an immediate geographical area at a deadly rate.

While (H1N1) is a serious communicable disease, once sanitized, most of the objects and possessions in any given property will be safe and can remain useable. First, all surfaces will are cleaned with OSHA approved detergents. Next, our bio-technicians will take every precaution to make sure that every surface possibly contaminated is thoroughly disinfected with anti-microbial solutions specially designed to eradicate (H1N1) and leave the surfaces undamaged.  High traffic surfaces, such as doors and their handles are disinfected twice during the remediation process.  Any waste generated during the cleaning process is disposed of in red biohazard bags and disposed of at a licensed facility. The final step in the process is to run HEPA air scrubbers and an EPA approved micro-mist fogger in the affected area.

When dealing with a serious viral outbreak, a knowledgeable biological decontamination team is a must. Bio-Clean is an experienced decontamination team. During the 2001 Anthrax attacks, Bio-Clean was there. The same meticulous attention to detail applied to the 2001 Anthrax attacks will be applied to the current outbreak of Swine Influenza (H1N1). Until stockpiles of vaccines can be created and doctors can create a specific (H1N1) treatment plan,  this fast spreading disease has the potential to be as serious as an Anthrax attack. When Bio-Clean is done, you can be sure that Swine influenza (H1N1) will be eliminated one-hundred percent.  Don’t put your employees, tenants, loved ones, or the population as a whole at risk: call Bio-Clean to make sure the first infection is the last.

About the Author:

Andrew P. Yurchuck is an infection control practitioner with 15 years of biological mitigation project oversight, environmental testing and cleanup experience.
Andrew is CEO of Bio-Clean of NJ in Williamstown, NJ 08094.

Office:  (856) 307-1051, Emergency Calls: (856) 307-1151         www.crimescenecleaning.net