Preparing Your Business for a Bird Flu Pandemic
Bird flu is one of the most serious dangers today. The virus does not seem to discriminate based on age or occupation and can spread quickly between humans. Bird flu can cause chest pain, a fever over 101 degrees Fahrenheit, headache, cough, sore throat, diarrhea and chills.
It is important that everyone has a plan in place should they come into contact with the virus or their loved ones do. A bird flu pandemic is something you do not want to be caught off guard for.
Here are a few things you can do today to ensure that your business is prepared for a bird flu pandemic:
Make sure all of your employees have up-to-date immunization records and make sure they get them updated every few years.
Educate employees on proper hygiene procedures, such as washing hands with warm water and soap, refrain from touching the face and nose, avoid eating in public, cover coughs and sneezes with the inside of the elbow instead of using a hand or tissue.
Make sure all meals are prepared with clean utensils and stored properly away from the reach of customers.
Inform employees that they should not travel to areas where bird flu has been found unless they have a doctor's note.
If you are a restaurant owner, make sure all employees wear disposable gloves and aprons when preparing food. Try to use different utensils for customers that have ordered take out instead of using the same ones for those who have dined in. Make sure that you thoroughly clean any kitchen tools or dishes used by someone who has been infected with bird flu. Use specific detergent or bleach to disinfect everything, including your hands.
Always wear a mask when dealing with someone who has been diagnosed.
If you feel that someone has been infected, immediately remove them from the area and get them to a doctor. Do not return to work until the doctor gives you the "okay."
Make sure your employees know what symptoms of bird flu to look out for in themselves or others and seek medical attention as soon as possible.
As a business owner, you already have a lot on your plate. It's just good business sense to make sure that your restaurant is prepared for any type of emergency, including a bird flu pandemic, so that productivity remains high while keeping all of your employees safe.
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