Worried about monkeypox? Or concerned about how the re-emergence of covid-19 could harm your business? Well, we are here to reassure you that by taking the correct measures, you can keep yourself and your employees safe.
With over 1700 cases of monkeypox having been found in the UK (at the time of publishing), there has been a significant spread of a virus that was previously non-existent on the island and it won’t be the last. But what can you do to limit the risk to your business?
Throughout this blog, we will aim to answer all of your burning questions about monkeypox and viruses in general. We will explore how viruses are transmitted and the action that a business can take to keep their premises healthy and virus-free.
What is Monkeypox?
The Monkeypox virus is a zoonotic disease, meaning that it spreads between animals and humans. While it is similar to smallpox, it is significantly less infectious and comes with a much lower risk with a less than 3% death rate.
The most recognisable symptom associated with Monkeypox (the one you have probably seen in the pictures) is lesions or a rash on the skin. However, there are various other symptoms that come with the virus. Some of the currently known symptoms are:
- high temperature
- headache
- muscle aches
- backache
- swollen glands
- shivering
- exhaustion
It is important that if you have these symptoms, you get in contact with your local GP as soon as possible. If you have the virus, you will have to isolate to avoid the virus from spreading from you to others.
How Do Viruses Spread?
When it comes to viruses, there is not one set way in which they will spread and the main form of transmission will vary depending on the type of virus. You can have airborne viruses, like covid-19, that are present in the air and can be passed on through coughing, sneezing etc.
When it comes to monkeypox, that falls into the second category of the main method of transmission requiring direct contact. Skin to skin contact with an infected individual/animal will be the primary way in which you will contract the virus.
However, these different virus types share a similarity in that it is possible for them to survive on surfaces/items that have been used by infected individuals. Viruses and infections can have a hugely detrimental effect as they can rapidly spread and you have to be proactive to avoid a widespread outbreak.
How can you Protect Your Business?
Promoting good personal hygiene and encouraging a general office cleanliness are simple steps to take to offer a basic level of protection. This alone, however, is not enough when it comes to achieving a healthy workplace.
Regularly giving your workplace a proper clean is essential and having this done professionally guarantees it is given full attention. Having commercial office cleaning done daily in your workplace will ensure the essential areas are being maintained, with providers often allowing you to tailor the service to suit your needs.
Due to the heavy footfall, carpets in a workplace can become an ideal home for bacteria if left unattended. Having the carpets cleaned regularly along with the office cleaning can offer the assurance that your workplace is a healthy one to work in.
On top of the regular cleaning, having a deep clean done in the office once a month would be recommended. A tailored deep clean will go beyond the standard clean to deal with areas of particular concern and those hard-to-reach areas that may require a more rigorous clean or specialist techniques.
What’s the Next Step?
Before you take any action to try and protect against a virus, a risk assessment will be needed to know exactly what action you should be taking. Review your risk assessment procedures to ensure they are covering virus protection and are up to date with the most recent health and safety advice.
If you are dealing with a virus outbreak in the workplace, Disinfection Fogging can be invaluable. This involves covering an area in a vapour that will decontaminate it and remove any traces of the virus from surfaces that the fogging covers.
BarrierTech fogging uses a non harmful chemical solution that will not only remove the virus present at the time but will also provide up to six weeks of protection from further contamination. Making use of fogging will provide you with a thorough sanitisation that will give you and your employees the confidence that they are working in a safe environment.