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Swine flu – new influenza virus

People in Mexico, the U.S., and Europe contracted a novel influenza A virus of the subtype H1N1. The virus also already arrived in Germany. Although it is called swine flu virus, this pathogen has never been detected in pigs and transmits human to human.
The novel influenza A/H1N1 contains genetic information of type A influenza viruses from pigs, humans and also from birds. It is known for quite some time that pigs can act as “mixing vessel” for different influenza viruses. It is possible that the virus was passed on to the human a while ago and then changed becoming transmittable human to human.

Risks and symptoms
The symptoms of influenza A/H1N1 infection are similar to those of seasonal flu: Sudden fever, muscle pain, cold, sore throat, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea.

In the meantime, the World Health Organisation (WHO) raised the pandemic alert to phase 5 and preventively called on all countries to make provisions for an influenza pandemic.

Like seasonal flu, influenza A/H1N1 viruses are mainly transmitted as airborne infection, e.g. through coughing and sneezing. The incubation time is approx. 5 days. Effective vaccination against this virus infection is not available yet.

 

Hygiene recommendations
If an infection with influenza A/H1N1 viruses is suspected, the German Robert Koch-Institute recommends placing patients concerned in a separate room until hospitalised or admitted to inpatient treatment. Persons having direct contact to the patients should protect themselves with a protective gown, disposable gloves, and a tight, multilayer mouth/nose protection.

The influenza A/H1N1 is an enveloped virus. Disinfectants with proven virucidal activity against enveloped viruses are used here.

Disinfection measures

• Hand disinfection
  Disinfection of the hands with a suitable disinfectant after direct contact with patients, contact with pathogenic material, or contaminated objects as well as after removing gloves prior to leaving the air lock.
  
• Surface disinfection
  Daily wipe disinfection of the (hand contact) surfaces near the patient (e.g., bedside tables, wet areas, door knobs) with a disinfectant possessing a proven efficacy for the activity area “virucidal against enveloped viruses”. If required, the disinfection measures have to be extended to other surfaces that are at risk of being contaminated. Medical devices that are used in patients directly should be single-patient use and must be disinfected after use or before the use in another patient.

Further recommendations and comprehensive information on handling the novel influenza virus is available on the German website of the RKI, e.g. in the statement “Schweinegrippe (Influenza A/H1N1): Medizinisches Management bei Verdachtsfällen Stand: 29.04.2009 20:23“.

Depending on the situation, e.g., in case of epidemics, several countries stipulate particular disinfection measures. The respective regulations can be requested at the corresponding regional authorities.

The Influenza A/H1N1 Disinfectant Overview provides you with information on all BODE products that can be used as well as the required concentrations and exposure times.

(Status: 04.05.2009)