The A(H1N1) flue is of rising concern for many companies, collectivities, public services, schools, kinder gardens, hospitals…
The contagion seems to occur in a similar manner as for the seasonal flue:

• airborne transmission through sneeze, cough or drop of saliva
• closed contact with person already infected by the A(H1N1) flue (hugs, kissing…)
• transmission via object (handles, public transportation, phones…)

The H1N1 virus is an enveloped virus, i.e. it has a lipid envelope. This structure can be broken by detergent (e.g. soap) or disinfecting solution effective on the virus of the A flue.

How to make sure of the efficiency of a hand gel or solution?

The biocide 98/8/CE directive not yet being applied (effective date of application: 2013), hand disinfecting products are not subject to the authorization scheme for the commercialization in France.

Nevertheless, some information on the label can help you decide:

• The NF EN 14476 standard that can help testing the efficiency of the disinfecting product on naked viruses (more resistant than enveloped viruses)
• Test of activity in accordance with the NF EN 14476 standard on the seasonal influenza A virus (H1N1 or H3N2) or another strain (H5N1)

Finally, the use of hand disinfecting gel or solution does not exempt from regular mechanic hand washing with soap (liquid soap are to favour). It is also very important to respect the 30-second washing duration, to properly rinse and then dry accordingly the hands. Indeed, humidity seems to ease the virus transmission.

The company IBL Specifik sells soap and hand disinfecting products based on peracitic acid that were certified with the NF EN 14476 standards. Contact us for more information.

Reference: Afssaps (French agency for health security of health products)

Link to the original article:
http://www.afssaps.fr/content/download/21768/275024/version/3/file/Avis-desinfection-H1N1.pdf

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How to choose the disinfecting product against the A (H1N1) flu?.pdf