Tuesday, October 27. 2009
H1N1 Pandemic Flu – White paper
The H1N1 flu pandemic started last spring and is a hot topic for quite a while now.
Widely sensationalized by the media, lots of businesses chose to capitalize on our fears to sell all kinds of services that are supposed to prevent, control or eradicate the virus.
The truth is: eliminating all risk is not possible and the perfect solution to get rid of the virus doesn’t exist either.
What we can do though is reduce the risks of spreading the virus as much as possible. One of the ways to reduce that risk is effective cleaning.
Implementing an effective cleaning program is a responsible reaction to the H1N1 flu.
GSF’s Research & Development team: Microbiologists, Agro-Food engineers, Pharmacists, provide a distinct advantage when selecting a janitorial company.
As one of their missions, GSF R&D department’s develops cleaning processes that are the most efficient with optimized resources in any type of environment.
These processes are carefully developed, tested thoroughly, and then validated.
For the sake of efficient training of our employees, processes files are developed with detailed pictograms.
When the Avian flu pandemic began a few years ago, GSF developed a complete cleaning method with Personal Protective Equipment, strong chemicals and specific cleaning methodologies.
As scientists have researched and observed the H1N1 flu virus, they have determined that this strain is not as pathogenic as the Avian Flu virus.
Therefore, GSF adapted its cleaning processes and lightened the Personal Protective Equipment that would be used in case of Avian flu outbreak.
Since the 1st of July 2009, GSF responded to cases of H1N1 in 73 buildings by implementing the cleaning process discussed above. With 163 documented illnesses, our R&D team evaluated and validated the effectiveness of our program in curbing the spread of the virus.
Applying the cleaning process developed by the R&D department for an 8 day period, the H1N1 outbreak was controlled and stopped in all buildings.
Why do we need to apply the methods for 8 days?
Scientists have determined that symptoms are revealed within that time length.
After 8 days, GSF cleaning teams resumed the normal processes again and no new case of H1N1 happened after that.
In short, at GSF we are prepared and willing to help prevent any H1N1 outbreak and help you control and stop it.
By developing and validating cleaning processes, training our cleaning teams, and maintaining necessary equipment, GSF is a professional partner that you can trust.
Feel free to call your GSF representative anytime to discuss how we can help you prepare your contingency plan and support efficiently.