Cleaning Services can protect your business, employees, and customers from the spread of dangerous contagions, such as Ebola.
Green Cleaning Services and Ebola
Ebola has been responsible for the horrific deaths of more than 10,000 people, worldwide.
According to updated (2016) numbers from the CDC:
| Country | Total Cases | Laboratory-Confirmed Cases | Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guinea | 3814 | 3358 | 2544 |
| Sierra Leone | 14124 | 8706 | 3956 |
| Liberia | 10678 | 3163 | 4810 |
| Total | 28616 | 15227 | 11310 |
| Country | Total Cases | Laboratory-Confirmed Cases | Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nigeria | 20 | 19 | 8 |
| Senegal | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Spain | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| U.S. | 4 | 4 | 1 |
| Mali | 8 | 7 | 6 |
| U.K. | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Italy | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Total | 36 | 34 | 15 |
Source
Sadly, these deaths could have easily been contained or prevented with the implementation of hospital cleaning and containment best practices, as well as ordinary soap and water.
Although there are no products with specific label claims against the Ebola virus, enveloped viruses such as Ebola are susceptible to a broad range of hospital disinfectants used to disinfect hard, non-porous surfaces.
-Interim Guidance for Environmental Infection Control in Hospitals for Ebola Virus
What is Ebola?
Ebola, despite its devastating effects on the human body, is just simple enveloped virus.
According to the CDC:
Ebola, previously known as Ebola hemorrhagic fever, is a rare and deadly disease caused by infection with one of the Ebola virus species.
Ebola can cause disease in humans and nonhuman primates (monkeys, gorillas, and chimpanzees).
Ebola is caused by infection with a virus of the family Filoviridae, genus Ebolavirus.
There are five identified Ebola virus species, four of which are known to cause disease in humans: Ebola virus (Zaire ebolavirus); Sudan virus (Sudan ebolavirus); Taï Forest virus (Taï Forest ebolavirus, formerly Côte d’Ivoire ebolavirus); and Bundibugyo virus (Bundibugyo ebolavirus).
The fifth, Reston virus (Reston ebolavirus), has caused disease in nonhuman primates, but not in humans.
What is an Enveloped Virus?
According to the US National Cancer Institute, an enveloped virus is;
A virus that has an outer wrapping or envelope. This envelope comes from the infected cell, or host, in a process called "budding off."
During the budding process, newly formed virus particles become "enveloped" or wrapped in an outer coat that is made from a small piece of the cell's plasma membrane.
The envelope may play a role in helping a virus survive and infect other cells.
What is most relevant is that Ebola is weaker (read; easier to kill) than non-enveloped virus', such as polio, norovirus or adenovirus.
In laymen's terms, that means anything that would kill the norovirus (winter stomach flu) should kill Ebola.
A Green Approach to Addressing Ebola
When cleaning for the prevention of Ebola, as well as other infectious diseases prevalent in schools, hospitals, and offices, consider the following green cleaning guidelines.
- Use hospital-approved green cleaning disinfectants on all contaminated and high-touch surfaces.
- Avoid harsh chemical disinfectants, if possible, to avoid aggravating respiratory issues resulting in the expulsion of bodily fluids, such as mucus and phlegm.
- Ebola can last for several days on non-porous surfaces, so make sure to clean all areas before and after use, thoroughly.
- Hydrogen Peroxide can be used as steam to disinfect small areas, and as a liquid to clean contaminated surfaces after all infected physical matter has been safely removed and disposed of.
- Use hospital approved microfiber cloths, mops, and brooms to disinfect all spaces.
- Use color-coded cloths to avoid cross-contamination.
- Use the appropriate protective equipment when cleaning contaminated spaces or preparing triage areas.
- Ebola spreads through skin contact with infected fluids, such as blood, vomit, and feces.
References
- Cleaning and Decontamination of Ebola on Surfaces Guidance for Workers and Employers in Non-Healthcare/Non-Laboratory Settings
- How Do You Clean Up an Ebola Patient’s Home?
- Interim Guidance for Environmental Infection Control in Hospitals for Ebola Virus
Takeaway
- Ebola, tragically, has been responsible for the needless deaths of thousands around the world.
- It is classified as an enveloped virus, making it significantly easier to kill than the common norovirus.
- Standard hospital green cleaning practices, combined with the proper safety gear, will typically prevent the spread of the virus.
- As always, make sure everyone uses regular soap and water (hand sanitizer has no real benefit) and washes their hands after using the restroom, before eating, or coming into contact with a contagious patient, or any potentially contaminated surface.
If you would like to learn more about the benefits of professional cleaning services for your business, contact us today for a free quote!
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