Protect Yourself

During the SARS epidemic, China claimed that masks did nothing to prevent the spread of infection. If we take a close look at the way hospitals handle patients in isolation, we see they are covered from head to toe. Head covering, eye protection, masks; full length gowns, gloves and shoe covers. With such a deadly disease as the Avian Flu, should we consider any less?

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Lets start with masks.
The best I have found are the Trisyn Antimicrobial w/exhalation valve. These are obviously more expensive (range $7 +/- each), however, they have a 24 hr. use life and they are the only masks that kill the virus on contact. These are probably your best bet when taking care of a patient at home. The in and out of the sick room allows you to reuse the mask for a full day. Make sure everyone has his or her own mask – DO NOT SHARE!

Virasmask do not have any straps and adhere all the way around the mask – a big plus. These generally have an 8hr life and would be ideal for those having to be out in public all day, i.e. work.

Nanomask have replaceable filters (make sure to sterilize the mask after use) and come in both adult and children’s sizes.

Generic N95-N100 is OK as long as the mask stays dry and tightly against the skin. After donning the mask, blow hard into it. If you feel any air coming out the sides or top, cover with medical tape.

Homemade mask directions can be found at http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/EID/vol1206/05-1468.htm
How many masks do we need? Minimum - 6 weeks worth. The type you choose and how often you expect to use them will be up to you.

Goggles:
One of the most neglected items is goggles. The flu virus can enter in through the mucus membrane of the eyes, so eye protection is necessary. Most goggles have vents, so covering the holes with a breathable fabric will work.

Gloves:
Cheap and easy to find. For those with latex allergies, or if you prefer, try the cotton-lined household gloves (used for household cleaning). These can be reused after disinfecting. Double gloving for patient care is not unusual, so go ahead with that if you like.

Hair:
The virus can cling to hair and skin as easily as anywhere, so caps should be used. Plastic shower caps (inexpensive at the $ stores and can be washed) or medical caps; either is fine.

Gowns:
These can get as expensive as good masks, but are necessary. I’m recycling my husbands long –sleeved business shirts ( you must have long sleeves) and adding a piece of fabric along the edge for protection to the calf.

Feet:
You can purchase shoe protectors, wear socks (to be removed and put into disinfectant) or a pair of shoes that stay at the door of the sickroom.

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Of course the best action you can take to protect yourself and your family is

QUARANTINE, QUARANTINE, QUARANTINE!
Stay inside. Plan on a minimum of 2 weeks up to 3 months of Food Storage and water, and avoid going out to shop, school, work, ect. if at all possible.
It could save your life!

About Avian (Bird) Influenza

Safety and Emergency
Preparedness Bulletin
Avian (Bird) Influenza

Original article:http://sas.byu.edu/training/bulletins/nov2006.doc

Avian influenza is an infection caused by avian (bird) influenza (flu) viruses. These influenza viruses occur naturally among birds. Wild birds worldwide carry the viruses in their intestines, but usually do not get sick from them. However, avian influenza is very contagious among birds and can make some domesticated birds, including chickens, ducks, and turkeys, very sick and kill them.

Infected birds shed influenza virus in their saliva, nasal secretions, and feces. Susceptible birds become infected when they have contact with contaminated secretions or excretions or with surfaces that are contaminated with secretions or excretions from infected birds.

Domesticated birds may become infected with avian influenza virus through direct contact with infected waterfowl or other infected poultry, or through contact with surfaces (such as dirt or cages) or materials (such as water or feed) that have been contaminated with the virus.

Infection with avian influenza viruses in domestic poultry causes two main forms of disease
that are distinguished by low and high extremes of virulence. The “low pathogenic” form may go
undetected and usually causes only mild symptoms (such as ruffled feathers and a drop in egg
production). However, the highly pathogenic form spreads more rapidly through flocks of poultry. This form may cause disease that affects multiple internal organs and has a mortality rate that can reach 90-100% often within 48 hours.

Human infection with
avian influenza viruses

There are many different subtypes of type A influenza viruses. These subtypes differ because of changes in certain proteins on the surface of the influenza A virus (hemagglutinin [HA] and neuraminidase [NA] proteins). There are 16 known HA subtypes and 9 known NA subtypes of influenza A viruses. Many different combinations of HA and NA proteins are possible. Each combination represents a different subtype. All known subtypes of influenza A viruses can be found in birds.

Usually, “avian influenza virus” refers to influenza A viruses found chiefly in birds, but infections with these viruses can occur in humans. The risk from avian influenza is generally low to most people, because the viruses do not usually infect humans. However, confirmed cases of human infection from several subtypes of avian influenza infection have been reported since 1997. Most cases of avian influenza infection in humans have resulted from contact with infected poultry (e.g., domesticated chicken, ducks, and turkeys) or surfaces contaminated with secretion/excretions from infected birds. The spread of avian influenza viruses from one ill person to another has been reported very rarely, and transmission has not been observed to continue beyond one person.

“Human influenza virus” usually refers to those subtypes that spread widely among humans. There are only three known A subtypes of influenza viruses (H1N1, H1N2, and H3N2) currently circulating among humans. It is likely that some genetic parts of current human influenza A viruses came from birds originally. Influenza A viruses are constantly changing, and they might adapt over time to infect and spread among humans. During an outbreak of avian influenza among poultry, there is a possible risk to people who have contact with infected birds or surfaces that have been contaminated with secretions or excretions from infected birds. Symptoms of avian influenza in humans have ranged from typical human influenza-like symptoms (e.g., fever, cough, sore throat, and muscle aches) to eye infections, pneumonia, severe respiratory diseases (such as acute respiratory distress), and other severe and life-threatening complications. The symptoms of avian influenza may depend on which virus caused the infection.

Studies done in laboratories suggest that some of the prescription medicines approved in the United States for human influenza viruses should work in treating avian influenza infection in humans. However, influenza viruses can become resistant to these drugs, so these medications may not always work. Additional studies are needed to demonstrate the effectiveness of these medicines. Human health risks during the H5N1 outbreak

Of the few avian influenza viruses that have crossed the species barrier to infect humans, H5N1 has caused the largest number of detected cases of severe disease and death in humans. However, it is possible that those cases in the most severely ill people are more likely to be diagnosed and reported, while milder cases go unreported. For the most current information about avian influenza and cumulative case numbers, see the World Health Organization (WHO) avian influenza website.

Of the human cases associated with the ongoing H5N1 outbreaks in poultry and wild birds in Asia and parts of Europe, the Near East and Africa, more than half of those people reported infected with the virus have died. Most cases have occurred in previously healthy children and young adults and have resulted from direct or close contact with H5N1-infected poultry or H5N1- contaminated surfaces. In general, H5N1 remains a very rare disease in people. The H5N1 virus does not infect humans easily, and if a person is infected, it is very difficult for the virus to spread to another person.

Nonetheless, because all influenza viruses have the ability to change, scientists are concerned that H5N1 virus one day could be able to infect humans and spread easily from one person to another. Because these viruses do not commonly infect humans, there is little or no immune protection against them in the human population. If H5N1 virus were to gain the capacity to spread easily from person to person, an influenza pandemic (worldwide outbreak of disease) could begin.

For more information about influenza pandemics, see: http://www.pandemicflu.gov/.

What to Do to Prepare

You can prepare for an influenza pandemic now. You should know both the magnitude of what can happen during a pandemic outbreak and what actions you can take to help lessen the impact of an influenza pandemic on you and your family. This checklist will help you gather the information and resources you may need in case of a flu pandemic.

To plan for a pandemic:

~ Store a two week supply of water and food. During a pandemic, if you cannot get to a store, or if stores are out of supplies, it will be important for you to have extra supplies on hand.

~ Periodically check your regular prescription drugs to ensure a continuous supply in your home.

~ Have any nonprescription drugs and other health supplies on hand, including pain relievers, stomach remedies, cough and cold medicines, fluids with electrolytes, and vitamins.

~ Talk with family members and loved ones about how they would be cared for if they got sick, or what will be needed to care for them in your home.

~ Volunteer with local groups to prepare and assist with emergency response.

~ Get involved in your community as it works to prepare for an influenza pandemic. To limit the spread of germs and prevent infection:

~ Teach your children to wash hands frequently with soap and water, and model the correct behavior.

~ Teach your children to cover coughs and sneezes with tissues, and be sure to model that behavior.

~ Teach your children to stay away from others as much as possible if they are sick. Stay home from work and school if sick.

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/avian/gen-info/facts.htm
http://pandemicflu.gov/planguide/checklist.html