Bird Flu - Archives
Bird Flu Masks
Face Masks? Yes, But...
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that
face masks and respirators may help prevent some flu exposures, but they
should be used along with other measures, such as "social distancing" and
hand washing.
The agency qualified its guidance by noting information is limited on use
of face masks and respirators to control pandemic influenza in community
settings, and “it is difficult to assess their potential effectiveness in
controlling influenza in these settings.”
May 8th, 2007
Bird Flu and Face Masks
The
Medical News Today website reports that the US Institute of Medicine has
advised that face masks may offer only modest protection against bird flu.
The report concluded
that we really do not know how much protection face masks could offer during
a pandemic. There is no compelling evidence that they would be able to stop
the pandemic virus from entering and infecting the human body, i.e. the
evidence is not there.
The report expressed
concern about people putting on a mask, feeling protected, and going into
crowded places or areas where infected people may be.
Quite bluntly, the
report says it does not know. It is not telling us not to use a mask, it is
not telling us a mask would protect us. All it is really saying is that
respiratory protection is the last resort to control the spread of
infection.
April 29th,
2006
Bird Flu Masks
Will
wearing a mask
protect you in the event of a bird flu epidemic? According to an AP
dispatch, the Institute of Medicine is preparing a report for the US
government on this topic. However, scientists doubt that there are clear
answers:
Health workers use masks to prevent infection while treating sick
patients. Experts say supplies will run short if the public wants to use
them as well during a pandemic. Simple surgical masks or better-filtering
ones with respirators are only supposed to be used once and then thrown out.
Health officials are trying to see if there are ways the ones with
respirators can be reused.
Other questions
involve how long the masks can be worn and how to make sure they're used
correctly. The Institute will issue its report this spring.
In the UK, the
government is reviewing its
policies
on face masks:
Stockpiles of masks and protective clothing will be increased if
necessary, said Rosie Winterton MP, a health minister. However, masks will
not be issued to the public in the event of an outbreak.
"We have recommended
the use of face masks for healthcare professionals who would be working
closely with infected patients," Ms Winterton said.
She added that stock
levels of masks and protective clothing, such as gloves, normally available
in the National Health Service and its supply chain, were also being
reviewed and could be increased if studies suggested it were necessary.
"The Chief Medical
Officer commissioned the Health Protective Agency to review the scientific
evidence for the use of face masks by the public during an influenza
pandemic. This review did not find any clear evidence that such a policy
would be of benefit. However, the evidence is regularly reviewed."
March 21st,
2006 |
