An advisory panel consisting of Kenneth Shine, executive vice chancellor for health affairs for The University of Texas System, is recommending a major step up in protection for health workers dealing with patients suspected or confirmed to have H1N1 influenza. The Institute of Medicine claimed, in recommendations requested by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, that loose paper masks are inadequate because the workers could still breathe in the virus. Instead, health workers should switch to N95 respirators that form an airtight seal around the nose and mouth.
CNN
Report on handling H1N1 cases: Use masks with airtight seals
Sept. 3
http://edition.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/09/03/cdc.swine.flu.mask/index.html
