Surgical masks for protection of health care personnel against pandemic novel swine-origin influenza A (H1N1)-2009: results from an observational study

Clin Infect Dis. 2010 Apr 1;50(7):1011-4. doi: 10.1086/651159.

Abstract

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.

MeSH terms

  • Cohort Studies
  • Disease Outbreaks*
  • Health Personnel / statistics & numerical data*
  • Humans
  • Infectious Disease Transmission, Patient-to-Professional / prevention & control*
  • Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype*
  • Influenza, Human / epidemiology
  • Influenza, Human / prevention & control*
  • Influenza, Human / transmission
  • Masks / statistics & numerical data*
  • Population Surveillance
  • Singapore / epidemiology