H1N1 Pandemic Supplies
Health Advisory - Influenza A (H1N1) pandemic alert raised to phase 6
June 12, 2009: International attention is focused on the emerging information concerning this new strain of the flu which has killed at least 141 people in Mexico, the United States and many other countries, and cases of which have appeared in 73 countries, including Canada (over 2978 cases, including 4 deaths).
WHO (World Health Organization) advice on the use of masks -- Interim guidance (May 2009):
"At present, evidence suggests that the main route of human-to-human transmission of the new Influenza A (H1N1) virus is via respiratory droplets, which are expelled by speaking, sneezing or
coughing.
Any person who is in close contact (approximately 1 metre) with someone who has influenza-like symptoms (fever, sneezing, coughing, running nose, chills, muscle ache etc) is at risk of being
exposed to potentially infective respiratory droplets.
In health-care settings, studies evaluating measures to reduce the spread of respiratory viruses suggest that the use of masks could reduce the transmission of influenza."