Hepatitis A Guide – Non-Food Facilities

Hepatitis A Guide – Non-Food Facilities

General Disinfection Guidelines for Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A is a liver infection caused by the Hepatitis A virus. Highly contagious, the Hepatitis A virus is usually transmitted by the fecal-oral route, either through person-to-person contact or consumption of contaminated food or water. Contamination can occur when infected persons do not wash their hands properly after going to the bathroom and then touch other objects or food items. Surfaces that are frequently touched and any items shared with the public should be cleaned and sanitized often.

  • Toilet Room Surfaces
  • Phones
  • Wheelchairs and Walkers
  • Light Switch Plates
  • Tables and Chairs
  • Recreation Equipment
  • High Chairs
  • Doorknobs
  • Railings
  • Kitchen Surfaces
  • Computer Keyboards
  • Remote Controls

 

Effective Disinfectants

  • Unscented Chlorine Bleach: Mix a chlorine solution and use promptly.
  • 500 ppm: ¼ cup bleach in 1 gallon water
  • Use for stainless steel, food/mouth contact items, tile floors, nonporous surfaces, counters, sinks and toilets.
  • Apply disinfectant every 4 hours during operation.
  • Other Disinfectants:
    • To determine if a product is effective against Hepatitis A, review the product label or product specification sheet and ensure it states, “effective against Hepatitis A” or “effective against Feline Calicivirus”. You may also search a product’s name in the Environmental Protection Agency’s registered product database at: https://iaspub.epa.gov/apex/pesticides/f?p=PPLS:1

Proper Handling

  • Use chemicals in well-ventilated areas.
  • Avoid contact between incompatible chemicals
  • Prevent chemical contact with food during cleaning.
  • Handle contaminated materials as little as possible and with minimal agitation to reduce aerosols.
  • Manage waste safety and dispose in a secure trash container.

 

Steps to Clean Spills of Vomit or Feces

  • Put on personal protective equipment, including two sets of gloves and masks.
  • Block-off area immediately
  • Clean up visible vomit or feces using disposable absorbent material (paper towels or other type of disposable cloths) and minimize aerosols.
  • Discard soiled items carefully in an impervious plastic bag.
  • Thoroughly clean affected area.
  • Disinfect area and objects surrounding the contamination with an appropriate disinfectant effective against Hepatitis A. See box to the left “Effective Disinfectant”.
  • Take off the outer set of gloves, and masks, in that order, and discard before exiting contaminated clean-up area.
  • Place discarded PPE in an impervious plastic bag.
  • Wearing the inner set of gloves, transport bag to secure trash container. Do not allow the bag to come into contact with clothing.
  • Always wash your hands after handling any contaminated materials, trash, or waste.

 

Specific Cleaning Methods

Wear Gloves and Protect Your Clothing

Hard Surfaces

Disinfect surface with bleach, or other approved disinfectant, ensuring the correct contact time is being met. If the surface is in a food preparation area, make sure to rinse the water after. For surfaces that are corroded or damaged by bleach, use another product that is effective against Hepatitis A.

 

Preventing the Spread of Illness

  • All employees must practice diligent handwashing and good personal hygiene.
  • Use gloves to eliminate bare hand contact.
  • Thoroughly and continuously disinfect the facility using the guidelines at the reverse of this document.

 

Handwashing

  • Employees shall thoroughly wash their hands and arms with soap and water for at least 20 seconds; thoroughly rinse with clean running water and properly dry their hands and arms.
  • Ensure handwashing signs are posted in the appropriate locations. Do not use hand sanitizer to replace proper handwashing.

Employees shall wash their hands in all of the following instances:

  • After touching bare human body parts other than clean hands and clean, exposed portions of arms.
  • After using the toilet room.
  • After caring for or handling any animal.
  • After coughing, sneezing, using a handkerchief or disposable tissue, using tobacco, eating or drinking.
  • After handling soiled equipment.
  • Before putting on gloves to start working and when changing tasks.
  • After engaging in other activities that contaminate the hands.

 

General Employee Health Guidelines

All employees must be knowledgeable of the relationship between personal health and hygiene.

The Employees Must Notify the Person in Charge:

  • Notify the Person In Charge if you have been diagnosed with a Hepatitis A infection.
  • Remember, you should not work if you are sick with acute gastrointestinal illnesses. Acute gastrointestinal illness is diarrhea, either alone or with vomiting, fever or abdominal cramps. Always follow your employee’s sick policy.

 

The Person in Charge Must:

  • REPORT to Alameda County Environmental Health Department when an employee is diagnosed with Hepatitis A. Call (510) 567-6700.
  • EXCLUDE the employee from work if diagnosed with Hepatitis A.

 

For more information on Hepatitis A or to report individuals with vomiting, diarrhea or fever associated with food consumption, contact dehwebmain@acgov.org or (510) 567-6700.