Surgical masks for protection of health care personnel against pandemic novel swine-origin influenza A (H1N1)-2009: results from an observational study.
There is ongoing debate about the efficacy of surgical masks versus N95 respirators for protection against pandemic novel swine-origin influenza A (H1N1)-2009. Our hospital, which is designated to manage outbreaks of emerging infection, has robust surveillance systems to detect infection in staff. The incidence of pandemic H1N1-2009 remained low in staff with use of surgical masks.
Ang
Brenda
B
Department of Infectious Diseases, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore. Brenda_Ang@ttsh.com.sg
Poh
Bee Fong
BF
Win
Mar Kyaw
MK
Chow
Angela
A
D015331:Cohort Studies; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D017758:Infectious Disease Transmission, Patient-to-Professional / Q000517:prevention & control*; D053118:Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission; D008397:Masks / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011159:Population Surveillance; D012846:Singapore / Q000453:epidemiology