Clean keyboards could be key to swine flu prevention

With an estimated 65,000 people in the UK believed to be suffering from swine flu, it has become vital for organisations to take steps to protect their workforce. As well as through day to day contact with colleagues, research has shown that germs can be transmitted through a dirty work station.

The average computer keyboard carries up to 3,295 different germs, and in the midst of the current swine flu pandemic, there has never been a more important time for businesses to place more emphasis on limiting the spread of infection.

A government checklist aimed at businesses fighting against an influenza pandemic has made clear reference to the need for businesses to provide additional means of reducing infection, such as more frequent cleaning and the provision of more hand-hygiene products.

Claire Burke, the director of Norwich-based specialist IT cleaning company Keep IT Clean is calling for more awareness to be made of the importance of a clean workstation. She says; “Statistically it has been proven that bugs can linger for up to 24 hours on a keyboard, mouse or phone. In the midst of the current swine flu pandemic it is clear we need to make people aware of the need to have a clean base from which to work. The methodical ‘deep cleaning’ of a keyboard can reduce the number of bacteria per square inch from typically more than 3,000 to just a trace, which is going to be crucial if we are going to beat the swine flu virus. ”

Regular cleaning of employee workstations can play a huge part in the fight against swine flu. Statistics show that the average office desktop carries more germs per square inch than the average toilet seat – making it vital for organisations to invest in deep cleaning in order to limit infection.

Since the outbreak of the swine flu pandemic, Claire has noticed a difference in the way in which organisations are paying increased attention to office cleanliness. She added; “We’ve definitely noticed an increase in businesses enquiring about our specialist IT cleaning. Many of our regular clients have had staff suffering from swine flu-like symptoms and we have been brought in to try and limit the spread of the virus.”

Keep IT Clean specialise in infection control, including the anti-bacterial cleaning of IT equipment such as keyboards, phones and photocopiers. For more information, visit www.keep-it-clean.co.uk