NIH Releases New Respiratory Virus Guidance
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NIH has released Respiratory Virus Guidance, a plan that addresses respiratory virus safety topics in detail, including the framework for safely working during periods of increased respiratory virus activity levels.
The new guidance—issued by NIH’s Office of Research Services Division of Occupational Health and Safety (DOHS)—reflects the latest recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and focuses on prevention of transmission by adhering to risk-based safety principles such as self-monitoring, ventilation and filtration, vaccination and workplace flexibilities.
The guidance includes links to important information on the current trends in respiratory virus transmission. With this knowledge, staff can be informed of current community risks and take appropriate steps to protect themselves, their colleagues and their families. This guidance is not mandatory in non-healthcare settings. Healthcare specific requirements can be found throughout the plan.
All members of the NIH community are encouraged to review the updated guidance and integrate these practices into daily routines. To read the plan, visit: https://ors.od.nih.gov/sr/dohs/safety/NIH-respiratory-virus-guidance/Pages/default.aspx.
For any questions or further information, please contact DOHS at 301-496-2960.