The unsung victims of Ebola in the U.S. have been the small business owners: the Bridal Shop where the Texas nurse spent hours as her symptoms began or the New York bowling alley where the doctor who had just returned from West Africa played hours before he was hospitalized. We spoke with some of our Professional Association partners who are studying both the real precautions and the public perception owners and managers of properties face. How long do Ebola viruses persist in indoor environments? Only one laboratory study has been conducted, according to the U.S. Center for Disease Control website, and “under ideal conditions, the Ebola virus remained active for 6 days.” The Daily Mail just published a study on the Public Health Agency of Canada website: the “Zaire strain of Ebola survived on glass at 4° (39°F) for over 50 days.” All acknowledge the virus can be killed by bleach and hospital-grade disinfectants. The CDC website recommends discarding all textiles (cloth products), and using disposable mop cloths, and cleaning wipes and disposing of all these in leak-proof bags. We are confident our industry and our Professionals Associations will lead the way to a realistic standard.
October 28, 2014
