IHAC - CINET - The International Committee of Textile Care

International Hygiëne Advisory Committee

Introduction and Perspective

The outbreak of COVID 19 has cought almost everybody by surprise. Not many countries or organisations were prepared and / or had action plans worked out how to handle hygiene risks related to this outbreak. This with the exception of countries like South Korea, New Zealand or Singapore.

Even many months after the start of this pandemic it is questionable if the next global outbreak will be handled with speedy roll-out of counter measures.

Incidents such as happening right now will – no doubt – happen again.

This remark becomes even more valid since this next outbreak is in the making, Swine flu – also known as the Mexican flu or H1N1 – has already been detected in China and the WHO reports that the risk of jumping to humans is just a matter of time.

CDC reported back in 2012 that the mortality of the 2009 Mexican Flu outbreak was estimated between 150.000 and 575.000 people.

All of the above has triggered a new CINET initiative: to establish an International Hygiene Advisory Committee. Below one can find the background information for this gremium.

Who Are Taking Part In This Committee?

The ideal is having the following experts:

Hygienists – Hospital
Microbiologists – both from hospital and food industry
Expert[s] from a Governmental Laboratory – like CDC, NHS, Robert Koch or RIVM
Expert[s] from detergent supplier[s]

IHAC Background And Objectives

The overall objective is creating consistent recommendations for the laundries, their customers
[such as hospital, food and hospitality industry] and their staff. This in order to maximise hygiene
awareness and minimise or even better avoid any hygiene related incidents.

Avoid conflicting messages : Confusion was clearly present during the first weeks of the COVID 19 outbreak. Conflicting messages circulated – especially related to wearing face masks. This confusion wasn’t surprising because of the unknown nature of this new virus. One of the sub objectives of the new expert group is to avoid conflicting messages as much as possible and create guidelines that are acceptable for all parties involved.
Create laundry protocols that cover all known hygiene threats – and make sure that the protocols are in line with the most dominant hygiene guidelines present in the market. Including Certex / Cerclean.
Monitor epidemicologic outbreaks and report to the (inter-)national PTC industry.
Check immediately after a new outbreak if the protocols in place cover the new challenge.

Footnotes

The Advisory Committee will:

Not be individually or collectively liable for the independent protocols and guidelines.
Make sure that the PTC industry will be updated on a regular basis.
Prepare answers to topics like: Which linen should be handled as infectious ? and : Should laundry staff wear a mask? If yes – when ? How does the vaccination recommendation for laundry staff look like?