The HMPV Human Metapneumovirus virus known to affect the respiratory tracts of humans has shocked most IT companies in India as much as the ongoing global health crises. Although HMPV does not attack IT infrastructure directly, organizational general health and employee efficiency suffer from its influence.
A number of Industries particularly Information Technology Industries in India have been impacted by this HMPV, there are times that many of the employees get sick and hence would not be as productive as before probably for some time.
Given the situation when a significant proportion of employees work remotely, questions related to the health of all the staff and the possibility of continuing their work arise. Sometimes, affected employees have been compelled to go for sickness leave and this has had an impact on the project programmes reducing the efficiency of productivity.
Furthermore, the pandemic has affected the cost of health management programs especially to IT firms which has forced them to install new measures in order to erradicate the virus in their working stations through installment of health care measures, sanitization, and shifting from working from the office through installation of flexible work from home measures.
As for those companies overseeing respective infrastructures or safeguarding sensitive information, concerns of business premises contamination during this period are as follows, would raise questions of data leakage and client privacy.
Also not considered due to these operational challenges is the virus’s other effects on worker morale and stress levels. As such, IT companies continue to invest in improving work from home policies, collaboration and ensuring that health standards are met for their employees as the effects are felt on their business.
How can employees protect themselves from HMPV
To protect themselves from HMPV (Human Metapneumovirus) employees can follow these essential precautions:
- Practice Good Hygiene:
It’s also important to wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds at intervals including but not limited to times of coughing, sneezing or after contact with surfaces that could have been contaminated with the virus in public spaces. When soap and water are not available, use hand rubbing preparations containing not less than 60 percent alcohol.Wear Masks:
Mask wearing especially indoors and especially in crowded places or when people are in close contact, cuts down on the emission of droplets that possibly contain the virus.2. - Avoid Close Contact:
It is essential to avoid close contact with others, particularly within areas that may offer a shared workplace or during essential meetings to avoid contamination. - Boost Immune System:
These include taking balanced diet, taking regular exercises, and taking enough rest that can help build up your immunities. Think of vitamins like Vitamin C and Vitamin D but do that with the guidance of a doctor.4 - Stay Home When Sick:
Workers who present symptoms including cough, fever or shortness of breath should not attend work or report to work as they contact their doctors. This decreases the probability of passing this disease to other employees.5 - Regularly Clean and Disinfect Workspaces:
Clean regular contacted items such as computer keys, telephone handles, and door handles with soaps that have capabilities of eradicating fungi and bacteria.6 - Vaccination (If Available:
For HMPV there is no distinct vaccine; however flu or other respiratory vaccinations should be up to date to strengthen chances of withstanding similar viruses.7 - Ventilate Workspaces:
Do not crowd in the office or at home to avoid high concentration of respiratory droplets in the air. New Open all windows and where possible use air filtration systems.
If these precautionary measures are adopted, there are high chances that a worker is not going to contract or spread HMPV at the workplace.
Preventing HMPV: How to Safeguard Your Health and Workplace
Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) is a respiratory virus which may lead to severe disease particularly in immunocompromised individuals. Preventing the spread of HMPV in yourself and your workplace is important to keep everyone in the workplace healthy and effective. Here are some key measures to safeguard your health and ensure your workplace remains safe:
- It is important to practice good hygiene standards prefix Hand Hygiene: Use soap and water to wash with for at least 20 seconds especially if, you have coughed, sneezed or come into contact with any contact surface. If soap is not available wash with alcohol based hand rub.
Disinfect Surfaces: Some examples … are washing keyboards, door handles and phones frequently to minimise virus transfer. - Partially rewritten to be more focused on the respiratory etiquette: Cover Your Coughs and Sneezes: It is recommended that people who cough or sneeze should do that by using a tissue or the bend of their elbow and not their bare hands.
- Wear Masks: If you are in close contact with people in places which are crowded or are shared with other people, always use a face mask to minimize spread of respiratory droplets that might have the virus.
- Maintain Social Distancing : Keep Physical Distance: In general surrounding, keep at least 2arm’s length or 6 feet apart to avoid the spread of airborne virus transmission within working environment.
Avoid Close Contact: It is necessary to avoid face to face communication with individuals especially if this is the only way ensure that one will not be a victim of the disease. - Boost Your Immune System : Eat a Balanced Diet: Some vitamins and minerals are believed to enhance your immunity and eating foods high in those nutrients will be important for you. Make sure you are adding a lot of fruits, vegetables and proteins.
- Exercise Regularly: Physical activity is highly recommended since involving in any form of exercise can actually enhance the general wellbeing and reduce rate of diseases.
- Get Enough Sleep: Rest is important in the building of the immune system; therefore, get at least 7- eight hours’ sleep every night. Clear.
