Kate Scheer from W&H looks at the importance of hygeine and how far we’ve come since the Spanish Flu pandemic of 1918 which infected 500million people across the globe, and resulted in the death of an estimated 20-50million people.
Kate Scheer is marketing communications executive at W&H (UK) Ltd, a professional marketer with an MA in strategic marketing and over 25 years’ experience working in the dental industry.
Summer 2018 marked 100 years since the 1918 Spanish Flu pandemic came to an end, after more than a year of death and destruction that took an estimated 20 to 50 million lives across the globe.i Even now, the epidemic remains one of the most devastating in history and has become a leading topic of interest for experts and history enthusiasts alike, who have postulated a number of theories on the cause behind the spread and high mortality rate.
Whatever the circumstances of the event, there can be no disputing that the Spanish Flu pandemic of 1918 serves as a reminder to us all of what can happen when influenza is not brought under control. It also reminds us of how far we’ve come in the last century in terms of medicine, diagnostics, vaccines and hygiene. Indeed, while there might still be outbreaks from time to time, humankind has come on leaps and bounds with the prevention and spread of infection; gone are the days where we have to worry about influenza reaching the status it did before – or have they?
As highlighted in a recent article published by the Independent, we’re not out of the woods yet apparently, with doctors warning that it’s not outside the realms of possibility that a deadly flu strain could return and spread across the world.ii It is a concern that has also been voiced by Dr Jonathan Quick, chair of the Global Health Council, who has said that a “new and unprecedented deadly mutation of the influenza virus” could be the cause of the next global pandemic.iii
As of yet, we have not seen an outbreak of mammoth proportions like the Spanish Flu, but there have been incidences that are enough to cause alarm. For instance, the emergence of ‘Avian Influenza’ in 2003 that highlighted how the virus might be able to pass from animals to people, and the ‘Swine Flu’ pandemic that started in Mexico in 2009 and spread to over 214 countries.
More recently, there was the flu outbreak of winter 2017/2018 that was recorded as being the worst in decades. The influenza virus H3N2 was amongst those to blame – a strain that is harder to control and has caused hospitalisation and death in older people.iv It’s also been suggested that the strain is more difficult to vaccinate against, with one government report stating that the flu jab provided no significant effectiveness against H3N2 in the winter of 2017/2018.v The outbreak of the H7N9 virus that was found to be circulating amongst birds in China in the summer of 2018 also sparked panic amongst experts, though luckily the virus can only be contracted as a result of direct contact; it can’t be spread between humans.
In light of these events, it is not unreasonable to question – as Dr Quick and others have – will influenza be the source of the next pandemic? And, will it be a brand new strain not yet in existence that has evolved to survive and reproduce?
If this sequence of events plays out, the profession must be prepared to meet influenza head on – as with all other pathogens. The best way to do that is to implement effective infection control procedures and maintain high standards of decontamination at all times. This includes impeccable disinfection and sterilisation of all surfaces throughout the practice in accordance with HTM 01-05 guidelines, as well as excellent hand hygiene and use of personal protective equipment at all times.
Decontamination of dental instruments is also essential in minimising the transmission of influenza in the dental practice, because if instruments aren’t properly processed then there is the risk that respiratory droplets containing the virus will remain, putting everyone at risk. All items must be disinfected first, preferably using a validated washer disinfector (which is considered to be best practice), before being placed in a suitable vacuum steam sterilizer. The equipment that you choose can make all the difference to the end result and safety of your practice, so be sure to use well designed, proven solutions such as the ThermoKlenz washer disinfector and Lisa type B vacuum sterilizer from W&H. Programmed to regulate water temperature, detergent quantity and hot air drying of instruments, the ThermoKlenz is a first class choice for any practice looking to take infection control to the next level. As for the Lisa sterilizer, practices can process an average load of 2kg in just 30 minutes with the added benefits of patented Eco Dry technology and full traceability, ensuring exceptional results every time.
We’ve come a long way since 1918 and have learnt a lot about ways in which influenza transmission can be minimised. As long as we continue to recognise the risks and take the right steps we should hopefully be able to help keep influenza at bay and prevent another pandemic.
i History: Spanish Flu. Accessed online October 2018 at https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-i/1918-flu-pandemic
ii Independent: ‘Spanish flu pandemic’ could return, doctors warn. Published 20 September 2018. Accessed online October 2018 at https://www.independent.co.uk/news/health/spanish-flu-pandemic-return-100-years-doctor-gp-2018-a8547316.html
iii Mail online: Why I believe a killer flu pandemic is lurking just beyond the corner – and it could kill 33 MILLION people in the 200 days. Published 5 March 2018. Accessed online October 2018 at https://www. dailymail.co.uk/health/article-5465241/Why-believe-killer-flu-pandemic-just-corner.html
iv The Conversation. Flu: why this year’s outbreak is one of the worst. Published 16 January 2018. Accessed online October 2018 at https://theconversation.
com/flu-why-this-years-outbreak-is-one-of-the-worst-89802
v Gov.UK. Flu vaccine effectiveness in 2017 to 2018 season. Published 18 July 2018. Accessed online October 2018 at https://www.gov.uk/government/news/flu-vaccine-effectiveness-in-2017-to-2018-season
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