Track seasonal flu at http://dhhs.ne.gov/publichealth/pages/flu_report.aspx
The report is compiled by Robin Williams, epidemiologist in joint project of Department of Educational Psychology and Nebraska Health & Human Services Division of Public Health.
Tis the Season
by Roger Freeman
Infectious Awareables Newsletter
November 2013
http://www.iawareables.com
A study done at the University of Arizona sought to evaluate how fast the "typical cast of winter characters" might spread in an office environment. Testing 80 healthy people in a local office building, researchers inoculated the hands of ten unknowing subjects with water drops containing a "surrogate" virus, i.e. one that could infect animals and not humans. The culprits were similar to influenza and other viruses known to cause disease in humans, and importantly, could be tracked.
The results: it took ONLY FOUR HOURS for half of commonly shared surfaces such as copy machines, doorknobs, refrigerator handles, and faucets in the bathroom to be contaminated and the viruses to be "shared" with office staff. The "infectious" microbes had spread at warp speed, in spite of a minimal amount of social interaction in the office.
Influenza and cold (rhinovirus) viruses can survive on surfaces for several days, so in season, how best to protect oneself, and others, from infection? The study looked for answers by putting in place three "healthy workplace interventions." None were monitored, only suggested:
1. Tissues were provided
2. Hand sanitizer was placed at each desk.
3. Disinfecting wipes were distributed and suggestions made to use twice a day.
The "duh" inspiring results: infection from exposure to surfaces and other people's hands was reduced by 90%!! Proving again that simple preventive measures, common sense, and most of all, a willingness to be considerate of others, can go a long way toward world peace (okay, maybe slightly less ambitious, but wellness is important, too).