I don't know the answer to this one. Although most influenza viruses don't last long outside the host, who knows what a mutant strain might be able to do. Bacteria like MRSA and pseudomonas can survive on fomites (i.e. taps, sinks, on the surface of beds etc) for 24h or more, I think most people will be playing it on the safe side and assuming the worst and disinfecting all contact surfaces. The same thing happened here with SARS.
When I saw a patient whom I suspected to have SARS, I had to shut down my clinic after the ambulance came and transported him to the hospital and disinfected all the surfaces, changed all my personal protective equipment (PPE), junked my clothes, took a bath and went home......hoping for the best....
Well, I'm still here.... <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />