ProNatural Brands Offers Norovirus Prevention Tips

When we hear of a norovirus outbreak—referred to colloquially as stomach flu, even though it’s a virus that has nothing to do with true influenza—it’s not unusual to also learn that the outbreak is related to a particular contaminated food, connected to specific locations.

But, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), even though norovirus is transmitted by food, it is also transmitted from direct contact with an infected person, as well as by touching contaminated surfaces and then putting unwashed hands in one’s mouth. Vomiting by an infected individual can spread the disease via airborne particles and droplets. As such, cleaning thoroughly and effectively, especially after a vomiting incident, is an important component of norovirus prevention.

ProNatural Brands, a manufacturer of citrus-based cleaning solutions, sanitizers, and disinfectants, offers the following cleaning tips to help your business or facility prevent the spread of norovirus when vomiting has occurred.

Know Your Products

Know the difference between cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting. Cleaning removes soil on surfaces, sanitizing kills or eliminates most pathogens, and disinfectants eliminate the pathogens listed on their product label. In most cases, cleaners and disinfectants should be used to clean up norovirus vomiting incidents.

Have Written Procedures

All cleaning procedures should be in writing, including those addressing norovirus. This standardizes the cleaning process and reinforces training. When cleaning procedures are in writing, workers know what to do, which products to select, and how to protect their own health. 

Use Cleaning Products Properly

In a norovirus situation, surfaces should be cleaned first, and then a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) -registered disinfectant should be used to disinfect the surfaces. Note that some EPA-registered disinfectants can clean and disinfect in one step, which can help expedite the cleaning process.

Vacate the Area

After a vomiting incident, administrators should ask everyone to leave the immediate area. This reduces the chances of others getting sick. 

Clean Completely

Norovirus vomiting is referred to as “forceful vomiting.” The greater force causes norovirus pathogens to spread as much as 25 feet from the immediate area. This means all surfaces within 25 feet, high and low, must be cleaned.

For more tips on how to prevent norovirus, check out Taking Steps to Prevent Norovirus Outbreaks.