More than a mess
Vomit can carry highly contagious organisms, especially norovirus. Norovirus spreads easily from contaminated surfaces and through tiny droplets when vomit is disturbed. Ordinary cleaning products and paper towels often leave infectious material behind and can spread it to nearby surfaces. In a restaurant, school, bus or hotel, an incident cleaned the wrong way can start an outbreak.
Our process
- Isolate the area, ideally keeping people at least several feet away and diverting traffic.
- Protective equipment. Gloves, gowns or coveralls, and face and eye protection where splashing is possible.
- Solidify and remove with absorbent material, packaged for disposal without aerosolizing the material.
- Clean the surface and the surrounding area, because splash often travels farther than it appears.
- Disinfect with an EPA-registered product with a norovirus claim, for the full label contact time.
- Soft surfaces. Carpet and upholstery are extracted and treated with appropriate products. Heavily soaked items may need removal.
- Check nearby high-touch surfaces such as handrails, door handles, seats and fixtures.
- Dispose of waste and document the response.
Settings we serve
- Restaurants and food service, where health-code expectations apply
- Schools, buses and daycare facilities
- Hotels, theaters, arenas and event venues
- Offices, retail stores and gyms
- Vehicles, including rideshare, fleet, transit and personal vehicles
- Homes, especially during household illness
Preventing spread at your facility
Facilities can stock bodily fluid spill kits, train staff on initial isolation, and know when to call professionals. The CDC publishes guidance on cleaning vomit and diarrhea incidents in public settings.
Common questions
What kills norovirus?
Use products registered by EPA with a norovirus claim, and follow the label's contact time. Many common cleaners are not effective.
Can staff handle it?
Trained staff with a proper spill kit can handle small incidents on hard surfaces. Large incidents, carpeted areas and suspected outbreaks are better handled professionally.