Focus on influenza A (H1N1) |
 Basic common senses measures can prevent influenza A H1/N1 virus from spreading.
The new influenza A(H1N1) appears to be as contagious as seasonal influenza.Cold North hemisphere Spring and the beginning of austral winter season have increased the spread of influenza A H1/N1 virus, know declared pandemic by WHO.
End of June, more than 50 000 cases has been registered in 120 countries.1
If virus severity is lower than anticipated, sanitary authorities expect a dramatic increase of cases this falls in the northern hemisphere.
Simple hygiene measures from government directives can limit pandemic damages.To prevent the spread, government directives give advice to population such as covering mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing for sick persons, stay home when they are unwell, clean their hands regularly.
In those circumstances, public hygiene washrooms and the way of drying hands are crucial. Pasteur Institute and Westminster University studies have demonstrated that using electrical dryers or rented towels increase risks of contaminations. Thus, paper towels are safer and should be recommended.
The equipment for Healthcare professionnals and public centers.
WHO and French health minister published simple and suitable recommendations for healthcare professionals exposed to confirmed or suspected A (H1N1) influenza patients
They have to wear a facial particulate respirator (e.g. EU FFP2, US NIOSH-certified N95)
to avoid risks of contaminated parts inhalation or ingestion. To perform hand hygiene with hydro alcoholic gel, and deliver surgical masks to patients to avoid virus spreading.
They should really care of hand hygiene and wear masks on the right way. WHO is advising against improper uses of masks and consequences when the masks in taking off in case of sneezing. They also focus on hand hygiene.
For sanitary authorities, the main thing is to respect hygiene recommendations; hand hygiene is the main rule. It can reduce significantly the risks of contaminations and limit damages due to pandemic.
1 Source OMS : http://www.who.int/csr/don/2009_06_19/en/index.html
2 Ministère de la Santé : http://www.sante-sports.gouv.fr/dossiers/sante/grippe-h1n1/informations-grand-public/grand-public.html
3 “Comparaison de divers modes de séchage des mains vis-à-vis de leur asepsie” Institut Pasteur - Juin 1994
4 “A comparative study of different hand drying methods” School of Biosciences, University of Westminster - Février 2009
5 OMS - “Infection prevention and control in health care in providing care for confirmed or suspected A(H1N1) swine influenza patients” - Avril 2009
http://www.who.int/csr/resources/publications/20090429_infection_control_en.pdf
6 OMS - “Advice on the use of masks in the community setting in Influenza A(H1N1) outbreaks” - Mai 2009 |
