For companies that have concerns regarding the safety of workers active on utility and septic system projects and the possibility of coming into contact with wastewater that could contain the Ebola Virus, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) has issued a document that may be helpful to employers regarding this matter:
http://www.cdc.gov/vhf/ebola/hcp/environmental-infection-control-in-hospitals.html
This document states that “enveloped viruses”, like the Ebola Virus, are not hardy enough to survive in septic systems due to aerobic digestion by bacteria present in these systems. Bacteria in these systems are much more physically robust, whereas enveloped viruses are extremely fragile. Also, dilution by wastewater that enters an onsite septic system is a factor prohibiting survival of the Ebola virus in this environment.
For further information, you can contact:
• Michigan Department of Community Health
517-373-3740
• Michigan Department of Environmental Quality
800-662-9278
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
800-232-4636
Information requests can be made directly to the CDC at the following location online: http://www.cdc.gov/dcs/RequestForm.aspx.
