Bibliographic information
GuidelineWHO guideline on public health and social measures for mitigating the risk and impact of epidemic and pandemic influenza
Year of Publication2026
Issuing InstitutionWorld Health Organization
Recommendation
New
WHO suggests surface and object cleaning and disinfection to reduce the transmission of influenza viruses during influenza epidemics and pandemics.
Recommended in favor
Conditional
Certainty of evidence
Low
Notes and Remarks
- Cleaning and disinfection practices are important to reduce the potential for influenza virus contamination in community settings, such as the home, offices, schools, gyms, publicly accessible buildings, faith-based community centres, markets, transportation settings, restaurants and other workplaces.
- High-touch surfaces in all such settings should be identified for priority disinfection.
- Disinfection should be carried out using products such as sodium hypochlorite (bleach) or alcohol at the recommended concentrations.
- Surfaces must first be cleaned with water and soap, or a detergent, to remove dirt prior to disinfection.
- Disinfectant spraying or fumigation, either outdoors or in large indoor areas (such as meeting rooms or classrooms), are not recommended due to their likely lack of effectiveness, possible damage to the environment and the potential exposure of humans and animals to irritant chemicals (195).