Cleaning For Measles: How Cleaning Companies Can Prevent Outbreaks

In recent years, the United States has seen a resurgence of measles cases. This highly contagious viral disease, once considered eliminated in the U.S., has returned in concerning outbreaks across the country. For facility managers and cleaning professionals responsible for maintaining clean, safe, and healthy environments, understanding how to effectively combat measles through proper cleaning protocols has become increasingly important.

The role of cleaning staff in disease prevention often goes unrecognized, yet it remains one of the most critical frontline defenses against outbreaks of infectious diseases like measles. As a cleaning professional, your cleaning protocols directly impact the health and safety of building occupants, whether in schools, healthcare facilities, or office environments.

Understanding Measles Transmission

Before implementing specialized cleaning procedures, it’s essential to understand how measles spreads. Measles is one of the most contagious viruses known to affect humans. It primarily spreads through airborne transmission when an infected person coughs or sneezes, releasing virus-containing droplets into the air. These particles can remain suspended and active for up to two hours in an indoor environment, even after the infected person has left the area.

While airborne transmission is the primary concern, the measles virus can also spread through contact with contaminated surfaces. When respiratory droplets land on surfaces, they create fomites—objects or materials that can harbor infectious agents. The virus can survive on surfaces for several hours, depending on environmental conditions and the type of surface material.

Unlike some other common infectious diseases that primarily spread through direct contact, measles presents unique challenges due to:

Its exceptional contagiousness, with a 90% infection rate among susceptible individuals exposed to the virus
The ability to spread before symptoms appear
Its potential to cause serious complications, especially in young children, pregnant women, and immunocompromised individuals
The virus’s relatively long survival time on surfaces

This combination of factors makes comprehensive cleaning and disinfection a crucial component of any measles prevention strategy.

How Cleaning for Measles Outbreaks is Different than Regular Cleaning Protocols

Standard cleaning procedures, while important for overall facility maintenance, fall short when addressing the specific challenges posed by measles. Regular cleaning typically focuses on removing visible dirt and debris, which improves appearance and provides basic sanitation. However, measles prevention requires a more targeted, intensive approach.

The primary differences include:

Disinfection intensity: Measles requires a higher level of disinfection than routine cleaning. While regular protocols might involve periodic disinfection of high-touch surfaces, measles prevention demands more frequent and thorough application of appropriate disinfectants.
Product selection: Not all cleaning and disinfecting products are effective against viruses like measles. EPA-registered disinfectants specifically listed for use against non-enveloped viruses (the category that includes measles) must be used.
Focus areas: While standard cleaning often prioritizes visible dirt and stains, measles cleaning protocols emphasize disinfecting surfaces that may harbor the virus, regardless of visible soiling.
Air quality considerations: Given the airborne transmission of measles, attention to ventilation and air handling systems becomes much more important than in routine cleaning.
Documentation and verification: During potential outbreaks, maintaining detailed records of cleaning activities and verification of disinfection becomes essential for both regulatory compliance and reassuring facility occupants.

Understanding these distinctions allows managers to develop targeted sanitization strategies that specifically address the unique challenges posed by the measles virus while maintaining overall cleanliness standards.

How to Prevent Measles Spread With Proper Cleaning

Implementing effective cleaning protocols is a critical component of measles prevention. Here’s how cleaning teams can optimize their approach:

1. Identify and Prioritize High-Touch Surfaces

Begin by mapping all high-touch surfaces throughout your facility. These areas require the most frequent attention:

Doorknobs and handles
Light switches
Elevator buttons
Handrails
Shared equipment (phones, keyboards, touchscreens)
Bathroom fixtures
Tabletops and counters
Water fountains
Vending machines

Using janitorial inspection software can help ensure these critical touchpoints are regularly inspected and properly disinfected, providing accountability and verification that protocols are being followed.

2. Select the Right Disinfectants

When selecting disinfectants for measles prevention, consider:

EPA registration: Only use products registered with the EPA and specifically approved for use against non-enveloped viruses
Contact time: Pay close attention to the required “dwell time” (how long the surface must remain visibly wet) to achieve proper disinfection
Surface compatibility: Ensure the product is appropriate for the surface materials in your facility
Safety profile: Consider potential health impacts of products, especially in sensitive environments like schools or healthcare facilities

Remember that cleaning and disinfection are separate processes. Surfaces should be cleaned to remove soil before applying disinfectants for maximum effectiveness.

3. Implement Proper Disinfection Techniques

Proper technique is just as important as product selection:

Pre-clean visibly soiled surfaces: Remove visible contamination before applying disinfectants
Observe contact times: Allow disinfectants to remain wet on surfaces for the manufacturer-specified duration
Use proper dilution: For concentrated products, follow exact dilution instructions
Apply sufficient product: Ensure complete coverage of surfaces
Avoid cross-contamination: Use clean cloths and mop heads for each area
Work from clean to dirty areas: Start in less contaminated areas and progress to more potentially contaminated spaces

4. Address Soft Surfaces

While hard surfaces are easier to disinfect, don’t neglect soft surfaces that can harbor the virus:

Use EPA-approved products designed to sanitize soft surfaces like carpets, curtains, and upholstery
Consider using steam cleaning for fabrics that can withstand heat
Launder fabric items when possible, using the hottest appropriate water setting

5. Don’t Forget About Air Quality

Given measles’ airborne transmission, consider:

Increasing fresh air intake when possible
Using high-efficiency air filtration systems
Ensuring proper maintenance of HVAC systems
Following manufacturer recommendations for filter replacement schedules

Keep your spaces safe from measles outbreaks with proper disinfection protocols and staff training. Schedule a discovery call with Janitorial Manager today to learn how our specialized software can help track high-touch surface cleaning, manage EPA-approved disinfectant inventory, document cleaning verification, and ensure your team follows proper measles prevention procedures. Protect building occupants with cleaning systems designed for infectious disease control!

Keeping Staff Safe While Cleaning for Measles Outbreaks

While implementing enhanced cleaning protocols, it’s essential to protect the health and safety of cleaning staff who may face increased exposure risks.

Training and Education

Provide comprehensive training that includes:

Basic information about measles and its transmission
Proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE)
Correct application of cleaning and disinfection procedures
Safe handling of cleaning chemicals
Protocols for reporting potential exposure

Regular refresher training ensures staff remain knowledgeable about best practices as guidelines evolve.

Personal Protective Equipment

When cleaning areas with known or suspected measles cases, staff should use appropriate PPE:

Respiratory protection: N95 respirators are recommended when cleaning areas recently occupied by infected individuals
Gloves: Disposable gloves should be worn and changed between cleaning different areas
Eye protection: Prevents splash contact with mucous membranes
Gowns or coveralls: May be appropriate in heavily contaminated areas

Vaccination Status

Consider the vaccination status of cleaning staff:

Ensure all staff have documented immunity through vaccination or prior measles infection
Restrict unvaccinated staff from cleaning areas with known measles cases
Work with occupational health services to offer vaccination to unprotected staff

Exposure Response Plan

Develop clear procedures for staff who may have been exposed:

Immediate reporting protocols
Medical evaluation procedures
Guidelines for potential quarantine
Return-to-work criteria

Doing More For High-Risk Environments

Some facilities face heightened risks during measles outbreaks and require additional precautions:

Healthcare Settings

Healthcare facilities present unique challenges due to the presence of vulnerable populations:

Implement terminal cleaning procedures in rooms occupied by measles patients
Consider ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) as a supplemental disinfection method
Establish negative pressure rooms for infected patients
Implement stricter PPE requirements for cleaning staff

Schools and Childcare Centers

With large populations of children, schools require specialized approaches:

Increase cleaning frequency during outbreaks
Pay special attention to shared toys and play equipment
Coordinate with health departments for classroom closure guidelines
Develop clear communication plans for parents about cleaning protocols

Public Transportation and Gathering Places

High-traffic public spaces present special challenges:

Increase cleaning frequency of seating areas and handholds
Consider electrostatic spraying for large areas
Post visible signage about enhanced cleaning measures to reassure the public
Coordinate with public health officials on communication strategies

By implementing these enhanced protocols, cleaning professionals can significantly reduce the risk of measles transmission within their buildings. While no cleaning regimen can eliminate all risk, thorough and consistent application of these principles creates environments where the virus is less likely to spread.

The importance of proper cleaning in disease prevention cannot be overstated. As outbreaks continue to emerge, cleaning professionals stand as an essential line of defense against widespread transmission. By understanding the unique challenges of measles and adapting cleaning protocols accordingly, facilities teams make vital contributions to public health.

Take advantage of the value Janitorial Manager can bring to your cleaning operation to streamline your processes like never before. Learn more today with a discovery call and find out how features like QR codes, timekeeping, and workloading can make your operations more effective and easier to manage!

How Cleaners Can Help Prevent Further Measles Outbreaks