The disease season no longer seems to end it. In mid-January, the number of serious forms of flu, like that of deaths are clearly increasing, compared to last year. The latest France Public Health Bulletin also reports on an increase in gastroenteritis. Despite a recent slowdown which the agency reported in another document published on February 5, it is still not time to scream victory. According to Sophie Fengueux, infectious scientist and prevention in charge of infectious risk for public health France, “we remain in the midst of an epidemic. This year, it is particularly severe. »»
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For Emilie Granados, a nurse within Ensanté, a pool of experts in occupational health advice, employers still do not play the prevention card enough: “These episodes are still not anticipated enough. Conducting primary prevention would limit this absenteeism, which represents a huge cost for businesses. »»
The good old barriers
On an individual scale, there is already enough to avoid spending the week -in -bed week with 40 ° fever. According to the latest coviprev surveys conducted by Public Health France (which observed the follow -up of barriers during and after the COVID crisis), good habits in epidemic are lost. “We observe a decrease in barrier gestures. Whether hand washing or wearing the mask, ”regrets Sophie Fengueux.
The prevention of viral diseases comes above all through simple gestures. The solution is – literally – in our hands, which must be washed regularly. If the instruction seems obvious, everyone does not hear this ear. In 2021, shortly after the Pandemic peak, an Ifop survey revealed that only three out of four French people were systematically washed hands after going to the toilet. “It seems very basic, but it is essential,” recalls the infectiologist. “Whether for gastroenteritis like the flu: after a passage by the toilets, before and after eating, after having been in transport or having gripped hands … It is a gesture that protects,” she continues.
Employers’ levers of action
“Gastroenteritis represents three days of absence. For a flu, it’s five. If the employer wants to ensure the good continuity of his activity, he has an interest in prevention, ”analyzes Amélie Granados. Public Health France offers posters to hang on the workplace.
Premises which must also regularly be ventilated, as recalled by the framework of public health: “Aeration has evacuated infectious agents. Of course, the frequency will be different depending on the situations. In a meeting room attended, you will have to ventilate very regularly, about every hour, for 5 or 10 minutes. For an individual office, we necessarily go on lower frequencies. To limit the breakage during these periods, the ENSANTÉ expert recommends that employers encourage teleworking, which makes it possible to “considerably reduce the spread within the company”.
“Vaccination is a very effective way to avoid epidemics,” says the infectiologist. In view of the one we are going through, the health authorities have decided to extend the flu vaccination campaign and the COVID-19 until February 28, 2025. Sometimes employers grab the mell to encourage to encourage Employees to go through the bite box. On this, the occupational physician has “a key role to play,” says Sophie Fengueux. Failing to be able to benefit from it, wash your hands frequently is a good start.
(tagstotranslate) Pro