Norovirus, also known as the “stomach flu”, is a highly contagious viral infection that affects the gastrointestinal system and can cause symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach cramps. The virus is highly contagious and can be easily transmitted through contaminated surfaces, food, and water, as well as through close contact with an infected person. This makes communal facilities and workspaces particularly vulnerable to outbreaks of norovirus.
How is Norovirus Spread?
One of the main ways that norovirus is transmitted within communal facilities and workspaces is through contaminated surfaces. The virus can survive for several days on surfaces like countertops, doorknobs, and light switches, and can easily spread to other people when they touch these surfaces. Additionally, food and water can also be sources of norovirus contamination, especially if they are handled by infected individuals or if the facilities have poor food safety practices.
How to Prevent Norovirus
To prevent norovirus outbreaks in communal facilities and workspaces, it is important your customers implement a comprehensive infection control program that includes regular cleaning and disinfection of surfaces, proper hand hygiene, and effective food safety practices.
Not All Disinfectants Do the Same Jobs
According to the CDC, hand sanitizer should not be used as the first line of defence against norovirus, and instead recommends washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. However, there are disinfectants rated as effective to combat norovirus. Before you start spraying and wiping, it’s important to know if your disinfectant is capable of killing norovirus. GOJO PURELL® Professional Surface Disinfectant Wipes kill 99.9% of viruses and bacteria and have been tested and approved by the EPA to kill norovirus.
Educate Your Customers
It is also important to educate your customers and their employees about the signs and symptoms of norovirus and how it is transmitted. This can help to raise awareness of the importance of preventing norovirus outbreaks and encourage individuals to take the necessary steps to protect themselves and others. This can include washing their hands regularly, for individuals who are feeling ill to stay home, avoiding close contact with infected individuals, and following food safety practices to reduce the risk of contamination.
Download your Healthy Workplace Communications Kit here to help your customers promote healthy workplaces and remind building occupants to observe proper hygiene practices.
GOJO PURELL® Has the Solutions
GOJO PURELL® Professional Multi-Surface Sanitizing and Disinfecting Wipes kill 99.9% of viruses and bacteria. These thick, premoistened sanitizing and disinfecting wipes eliminate germs on hard surfaces with fast and easy application and are deal for quickly disinfecting high-touchpoint surfaces throughout any facility.
Want to learn more about surface disinfecting? Our R3 product experts can help! Contact us to find out more about PURELL® Professional Multi-Surface Sanitizing and Disinfecting Wipes and the benefits of incorporating wipes into your product assortment.
Already an R3 customer? Request a PDF of this article branded with your logo! Not an R3 customer? Let’s chat.