Seasonal influenza (flu) season has begun in the Northern Hemisphere, where flu activity will continue to increase in the coming months. Even though the flu is highly contagious and can cause potentially serious disease, many employers do not recognize it as a significant threat and are likely to experience staffing shortfall and operational delays as a result. Many of the same mitigation measures used to prevent the spread of COVID-19 may also be used to reduce flu transmission.
Like all respiratory diseases, individuals can reduce their risk of influenza infection by taking strict respiratory hygiene precautions: washing hands regularly and avoiding large crowds or obviously ill individuals. However, because influenza can spread before symptoms are apparent, these measures are only partially effective. All individuals, unless medically contraindicated, should be vaccinated against seasonal influenza each year. These immunizations protect against influenza infection within 2-3 weeks of immunization.
Current Trend of Seasonal Influenza in the Northern Hemisphere
The influenza season in the Northern Hemisphere generally begins in October and can last as late as May. According to the most recent influenza report from the WHO, seasonal influenza activity began increasing later in the year than normal and remains well below the levels observed in prior years, though it continues to rise week-over-week. A remarkable side effect of the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic was the significant reduction in reported cases of routine colds and seasonal influenza, primarily due to domestic lockdowns, international travel restrictions, and basic health precautions that mitigated COVID-19 transmission.
However, the low transmission of seasonal influenza during the 2020-2021 flu season means humanity built little immunity against the flu strains from the prior season; this is unprecedented. Health experts can only hazard their best estimations of how this season may proceed, with some expressing concern that the season will be more severe due to low residual immunity.
Equally important is the understanding that anyone can be infected with the flu and COVID-19 at the same time, increasing the risk of severe symptoms from both diseases. This highlights the importance of obtaining a timely vaccination against seasonal influenza as well as COVID-19 vaccination, if available locally. Health officials state both vaccines can be given at the same time without detrimental side effects.
Strategies to Prevent the Spread of Influenza in the Workplace
1. Raise Awareness about Seasonal Influenza
Employees who believe they are at risk of becoming infected with influenza - and who understand the consequences associated with influenza infection - are more likely to alter their behaviors to reduce the risk of infection. Therefore, it is important that employers educate workers about how influenza is spread, what symptoms the flu causes, and the potential complications related to influenza infection. This information should be communicated to employees in several ways, such as through emails and by placing flyers or posters in high-traffic areas, to maximize visibility.
Seasonal influenza is a very contagious viral disease that spreads through respiratory droplets created when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or speaks. There are several viruses that cause influenza - including H1N1, H3N2, and influenza B. Influenza vaccines are available and must be obtained every year to be protective. Antibiotics can neither prevent nor treat the flu, as antibiotics target bacteria and are ineffective against viruses.
People usually recover from the flu in a few days, and most infections resolve within two weeks. However, some people, especially young children, and people with weakened immune systems, may experience more severe complications that require additional medical care or even hospitalization.
Complications associated with influenza:
- Some individuals with influenza will develop complications such as pneumonia, bronchitis, and sinus or ear infections. These complications can be life-threatening and are more common in individuals with certain chronic medical conditions.
2. Encourage Proper Coughing Etiquette and Hand Washing
It is extremely important for employers not only to teach and remind employees of the proper way to cover coughs and sneezes but also to remind them to regularly wash their hands throughout the flu season.
- Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue.
- If a tissue is not available, cough and sneeze into your elbow or upper sleeve.
- Dispose of the used tissues in "no-touch" wastebaskets.
- Wash hands after blowing your nose, coughing, sneezing, or encountering mucus or contaminated objects and surfaces.
- To wash hands appropriately: apply soap and water, rub soap hands together for at least 20 seconds.
- Rinse hands with water, and dry completely.
If soap and water are not available, using an alcohol-based hand rub is a helpful interim measure until hand washing is possible.
When using an alcohol-based hand rub, apply the liquid to the palm of the hand, cover all surfaces of the hand with the liquid, and rub hands together until dry.
3. Keep the Workplace Clean
Since the flu can spread on contaminated surfaces or objects, it is important that employers develop procedures and policies that ensure all commonly touched work surfaces, work areas, and equipment - for example, telephones, doorknobs, lunch areas, copy machines, etc. - are cleaned frequently. Routine cleaning agents are sufficient to disinfect surfaces against influenza, but employers should provide easy access to cleaning supplies.
4. Encourage Annual Flu Vaccinations
Even though the effectiveness of influenza vaccines depends on how well-matched the vaccine is to active influenza viruses, vaccination remains an important defense against influenza infection. However, vaccination is arguably the most difficult measure to implement due to misconceptions about the vaccine.
For example, many people believe that the influenza vaccine makes people sick; however, the standard influenza vaccine contains virus that has been inactivated and is, therefore, unable to make people sick. Furthermore, many non-influenza illnesses have symptoms that can be described as flu-like. As a result, individuals may incorrectly attribute such symptoms to a recent vaccination instead of illness due to a different infectious agent.
Employers should consider hosting a flu vaccination clinic at their place of business. Health authorities recommend providing vaccines to employees at little-to-no cost and promoting vaccination within the local community. If hosting a flu vaccination clinic on-site is not plausible, employers should consider notifying their employees of local pharmacies and clinics offering influenza vaccinations. Since many pharmacies and clinics are only open during normal business hours, employers should consider allowing their employees the time to go to these clinics while still on the clock.
Influenza does not need to reach pandemic status to affect business continuity, as seasonal influenza accounts for billions per year in economic losses. Has your office properly prepared for the flu season? With the influenza activity expected to continue in the coming weeks, it's not too late to implement preventative measures.
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