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Related information
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When returning to a flood-affected area, remember that wild animals, including rats, mice, snakes or spiders, may be trapped in your home, shed or garden.
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When returning to your home after a flood, take precautions to reduce the possibility of injury, illness or disease.
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Children should always be closely supervised near animals and taught how to behave safely around pets.
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Anthrax is a rare but potentially fatal bacterial disease that occasionally infects humans.
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The Western obsession with cleanliness may be partly responsible for the increase in allergic asthma and conditions such as rhinitis.
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Content on this website is provided for information purposes only. Information about a therapy, service, product or treatment does not in any way endorse or support such therapy, service, product or treatment and is not intended to replace advice from your doctor or other registered health professional. The information and materials contained on this website are not intended to constitute a comprehensive guide concerning all aspects of the therapy, product or treatment described on the website. All users are urged to always seek advice from a registered health care professional for diagnosis and answers to their medical questions and to ascertain whether the particular therapy, service, product or treatment described on the website is suitable in their circumstances. The State of Victoria and the Department of Health shall not bear any liability for reliance by any user on the materials contained on this website.
Additional measures may be required to minimize transmission of germs by touch points [sinks, door and cupboard handles, railings, objects, counters, etc.].Viruses, for example, can remain viable on hard surfaces for several hours, depending on environmental conditions. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the United States indicates that "Most studies have shown that the flu virus can live and potentially infect a person for up to 48 hours after being deposited on a surface."
In most workplaces and homes, cleaning floors, walls, doorknobs, etc. with disinfectants or bleach solution [5 millilitres [mL] of [5%] bleach per 250 mL of water is recommended. Use a disinfectant with a drug identification number [DIN]. This number means that it has been approved for use in Canada.
Follow the directions on the cleaning or disinfecting products. Wear personal protective clothing, such as gloves and eye protection, where required. Know the appropriate procedures for general sanitation and infection control, and how to work safely with hazardous products, including bleach.
If using gloves when cleaning, always wear the appropriate type of glove for the product you are using. No one glove material is resistant to all chemicals. Some products dissolve certain glove materials and therefore will offer no protection by allowing the product to contact your skin. This permeation can take place in a few seconds, while other products may take days or weeks.
Refer to the product’s safety data sheet [SDS] for information on which glove material will provide the best protection [e.g., glove material will be listed, such as neoprene, butyl rubber, natural rubber, etc.]. If this information is missing, contact the supplier or manufacturer of the product. Manufacturers of chemical protective gloves and clothing may also assist their customers in making the appropriate choices.
For more information about wearing protective gloves, please see the OSH Answers document on Chemical Protective Clothing – Glove Selection.
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Infection prevention and control [IPC] is a practical, evidence-based approach which prevents patients and health workers from being harmed by avoidable infection and as a result of antimicrobial resistance.
No one should catch an infection while receiving health care, yet, these infections can spread through outbreaks and many regular care practices, affecting hundreds of millions of people across the world every year. WHO is working with numerous partners to support Member States to deliver clean, quality care for all, through IPC best practices. – About us
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Personal Protective Equipment [PPE] and screening
Events
COVID-19 collateral damage: impact on healthcare services in LMICs [online course 20-21 October 2022]
Course Objective
The aim of the course is to update the audience on the collateral health-care damages caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, concerning prevention and management of infectious diseases, clinical microbiology, IPC and ASPs in LMICs, and to assess the barriers, facilitators and strategies for the normal resumption of non-COVID-19 healthcare activities.
Target audience
Infectious disease/clinical microbiology/infection prevention & control, and public health professionals from low middle income countries [LMICs], dealing with the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on healthcare systems.
For more information, download the course flyer or visit the ESCMID website.