Information concerning the influenza

WHO has upgraded the A(H1N1) alert level to 6, declaring that we are "in the early stages of a pandemic". WHO considers the overall severity of the influenza pandemic to be moderate. 

That means:

 

1. Most people recover from infection without the need for hospitalization or medical care.

 

2. Overall, national levels of severe illness from influenza A(H1N1) appear similar to levels seen during local seasonal influenza periods, although high levels of disease have occurred in some local areas and institutions. For those individuals with chronic disease such as heart disease, asthma, or diabetes or other health related issues such as pregnancy or immunosupression related to cancer or transplant, the mortality rate has been much greater. Employees who have risk factors for flu complications, such as asthma, cardiac conditions, or pregnancy, should be advised to seek medical care quickly if they have flu symptoms. Those who don't have risk factors and experience severe symptoms should also seek care.

 

3. Overall, hospitals and health care systems in most countries have been able to cope with the numbers of people seeking care, although some facilities and systems have been stressed in some localities.

 

The following questions and answers are provided to outline our current position. For general information about the influenza A(H1N1) please refer to the latest recommendations from WHO at: www.who.int and the CDC at www.cdc.gov.

 
Some questions and answers

Q: What is the influenza A(H1N1)?
A: Influenza A(H1N1) (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza viruses that causes regular outbreaks in pigs. People do not normally get swine flu, but human infections can and do happen. Influenza A(H1N1) viruses have been reported to spread from person-to-person, but in the past, this transmission was limited and not sustained beyond three people.

Q. Which Mölnlycke Health Care products may be impacted by this outbreak?
A: Surgical Masks – Barrier® Surgical Masks reduce pathogen-contaminated, airborne droplets emanating from infected persons. According to the CDC, when worn by an infected patient, these masks will help reduce the risk of cross-contamination. Read more

N-95 Respirator – The Barrier® N-95 Particulate Respirator provides increased protection from airborne pathogens as compared to surgical masks. N-95 respirators form a tight seal around the nose and mouth with a filter efficiency of 95% of 0.3 micron particles. Surgical masks allow airflow around the loose outer edges, and therefore, provide poor protection for non-infected persons. The Barrier® N-95 Particulate Respirator is appropriate for use by health care workers treating infected patients according to the CDC guidelines . Although the influenza A(H1N1) virus size is 0.1 microns in size, it will usually be encapsulated in a moisture droplet that results in a particulate size exceeding 0.3 microns, which is the particulate test size utilized for the N-95 respirator.

Hibiclens® – is a skin antiseptic with the active ingredient 4% Chlorhexidine Gluconate (CHG) and is effective against enveloped viruses. Hibiclens has been tested and proven effective against enveloped viruses such as Avian Flu (influenza) virus H5N1, Human H1N1 virus, Human Immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and Herpes Simplex virus. However, testing against the H1N1 strain of swine flu virus has been initiated for Hibiclens and Hibistat.

The CDC recommends hand hygiene to help reduce transmission of the influenza A(H1N1) and provides hand hygiene guidelines.

Hibiclens is an effective skin antiseptic that provides immediate and residual kill and has been used in hospitals for more than thirty years. Hibiclens is made specifically for use on the skin. For disinfection of hard surfaces, utilize an EPA approved disinfectant.

Hibistat® Hand Antiseptic Wipes – Hibistat wipes contain 70% alcohol and 0.5% CHG. Hibistat wipes have also been proven to be effective against enveloped viruses. Hibistat wipes can be used whenever a sink is not available for hand washing with Hibiclens and provide the same 6 hour residual protection.

Surgical Gloves – Biogel® Surgical Gloves have been tested against viruses. Viral penetration testing of Biogel gloves shows that viruses are unable to penetrate intact Biogel Surgical gloves. This testing utilizes a bacteriophage virus that is much smaller (25 to 27 nm) than influenza A(H1N1) virus (100 nm). Therefore, if the test bacteriophage cannot penetrate the Biogel surgical gloves, then the influenza A(H1N1) virus is too large to penetrate the gloves.

Q: What are you doing to help your hospital customers?
A: Our Territory Managers and Clinical Nurse Consultants are always available to advise customers on the use of our products. We are also working closely with our customers to ensure continuity of supply of key products.

Q: Do you have the capacity to meet the demand for your products?
A: Currently, Mölnlycke Health Care US has available stock of Hibiclens, Hibistat, and Barrier surgical masks and respirators. We are also working with our suppliers and manufacturing facilities to determine how quickly additional inventory may be made available in order to meet demand.

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