It’s Flu Season in the Northern Hemisphere – Tips and Resources to Protect Against Influenza

Seasonal influenza, commonly referred to as “the flu,” is caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat and lungs, and can cause severe and life-threatening illness in many people. It is spread from person to person through virus-infected droplets from coughing, sneezing, influenza-contaminated surfaces, high-touch objects and hands.

In the U.S., five to 20 percent of the population, on average, contracts the flu each year. In Europe, between 10 and 30 percent of the population becomes infected.

Annual epidemics are estimated to result in approximately 3 million to 5 million cases of severe illness and about 250,000 to 500,000 deaths worldwide, with about 90 percent of flu-related deaths occurring in people over 65 years old.

Ecolab has been active in helping customers prepare for the flu season and will monitor developments through our global influenza surveillance capabilities.

Summary of Situation

Several countries in the Northern Hemisphere are reporting low levels of influenza or flu-like illnesses.

• The WHO is reporting low levels of influenza in the Northern Hemisphere, including the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Germany, France, Japan and the U.K. 
• China is currently reporting elevated levels of influenza.
• Public health officials cannot predict the severity of the 2016/17 flu season at this time. 
• Fifty-two week trend patterns for more than 50 countries can be accessed here.

Recommendations to Protect Against the Flu

• The WHO, the U.S. CDC, the European CDC, the Public Health Agency of Canada and other public health agencies are consistent with their recommendations, including:
  • An annual flu shot
  • Washing hands frequently with soap and water
  • Using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer
  • Cleaning and disinfecting hard surfaces and high-touch objects with products effective against the influenza virus
  • Thoroughly washing dishes, glassware and utensils
  • Covering mouth and nose with a tissue or elbow when coughing or sneezing
  • Social distancing and avoiding touching eyes, nose and mouth  

How Ecolab Can Help

• Visit our Flu Prevention page on ecolab.com where you will find fact sheets, videos, instruction procedures and more to help protect against the virus: http://ecolab.com/pages/flu
• Download our Flu Resource Pack that includes additional fact sheets, flyers, posters and wall charts to provide to your staff and customers, or help support your own flu-prevention campaign: http://en-uk.ecolab.com/hidden/eu-seasonal-flu
• Watch our Public Health Matters webinars for an in-depth review on flu prevention, hosted by Dr. John Hanlin, Ecolab vice president of Public Health, and other Ecolab experts.
  1. U.S. featuring marketing manager Vivek Raghavapudi:  http://ecolab.com/video/public-health-matters-preparing-for-flu-season/
  2. E.U. featuring regional technical manager, Institutional Europe: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-VYTtLsmKo&feature=youtu.be