Viruses and Hotels

What is a Virus?

A virus is a microscopic particle that can infect living cells. They cannot reproduce on their own and require a host. Humans, animals, plant cells, and bacteria can be hosts. Outside the cellular environment, they can be inactivated with disinfectant materials.

Why?

They multiply inside living cells and cause disease. There are hundreds of types. Diseases such as AIDS, flu, and rabies are virus-based illnesses.

How?

Many viruses are transmitted from person to person, from animals to humans, through food, and water. They spread via droplets and contact. Nasal discharges, feces, sneezing, coughing, and fluids or secretions from humans and animals are transmission routes.

What Can Be Done?

Procedures vary depending on whether there is an outbreak inside the hotel.

  • Disinfection of all surfaces touched by hand (using chlorine-based or other suitable chemicals) must be ensured.
  • All surfaces of general area restrooms and children’s clubs should be wiped with chlorine-based disinfectant and this process should be repeated frequently throughout the day.
  • Cleaning cloths for floor services should be separated.
  • A separate cleaning cloth should be used for each room.
  • All surfaces inside patient rooms must be cleaned and disinfected.
  • Trash bins should be provided in general area restrooms, pool sides, children’s clubs, etc., only for dirty diapers.
  • Cleaning of areas contaminated with feces and vomit should be done with protective clothing; after cleaning, the area should be disinfected with chlorinated water, and used cloths, mops, etc., must be disinfected.
  • Contaminated textiles and clean textiles should be washed separately, and good laundry practices should be observed.

Important!

A chlorine water mixture can be prepared by adding 1 tablespoon of bleach to 5 cups of water. Surfaces should be wiped with a cloth soaked in this mixture, left for 3-5 minutes, then rinsed. Gloves should be worn during use.

Note: The required measures may be more than those mentioned above. The important points are included in this reminder, but the order of importance may vary depending on the risk situation.

For more detailed information, the Pandemic Flu Guide for Hotels file or the useful information section under the VARIOUS folder at www.isis-turkey.com can be accessed.