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 influenza A(H1N1) 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: What is Mölnlycke Health Care doing to help prevent influenza A(H1N1) spreading?
A: Mölnlycke Health Care is following the development closely and we are taking measures to be able to support our customers within the health care sector in the best possible way.
Q. What Mölnlycke Health Care products may be impacted by this outbreak? Have you seen a change in demand?
A. Antiseptic hand washing products, surgical and personal protective face masks, examination gloves and isolation gowns. HiBi antiseptic products will certainly play a part in general hand hygiene, which is identified as one of the personal precautions to help spread of micro-organisms. We have seen a rapid increase in demand for face masks which we are working actively to meet.
Q: Is Mölnlycke taking any voluntary actions to help exposed groups?
A. At this stage, we are prioritizing the needs of front line hospital staff and emergency workers who maintain essential services. If the risk becomes more widespread and additional supplies become available, we will reassess these priorities and do what we can to help.
Q: Are you cooperating with any specific organisations or companies to help prevent the flu spreading?
A: As a major medical device supplier we follow the guidelines of the WHO and the CDC. We also work in liaison with medical industry bodies such as EUCOMED to ensure we are participating fully in any co-ordinated responses. We also work closely with health authorities in all the countries where we are active.
Q: What are you doing to help hospitals?
A: Our surgical specialists are always available to advise on the use of our products, and information is also provided on our websites. In addition we are working with our customers to ensure continuity of supply.
Q: What protective precautions do you recommend for hospital staff and other health care workers?
A: Mölnlycke Health Care normally recommends high level of preventive measures to avoid transmission of micro-organisms in the health care environment. In a situation like this it is more evident than ever that high level of infection control is vital. For questions concerning the specific usage of our products please contact your local Mölnlycke Health Care office. The CDC website also provides a section for the Swine Flu and Healthcare Professionals.
Q: Are there any other groups that you give recommendations to such as the general public?
A: No, these are matters for the public health authorities such as WHO, the CDC and national governments.
Q: Do you get questions from health care workers and other groups? What are their main concerns? How do you respond to their concerns?
A: We receive questions mainly concerning our capacity to supply face masks, antiseptic hand washing products, isolation gowns and examination gloves. We will firstly prioritise front line hospital staff and secondly emergency workers who maintain essential services. If the risk becomes more widespread and as additional supplies become available we will revisit the priorities and do what we can to help.
Q: Do you have the capacity to meet the demand for your products? Is there a risk that the stocks of antiseptics and face masks will run out?
A: We are working rapidly with our suppliers to investigate how quickly we can increase supplies in order to meet demand.
Q: What is the difference between general medical face masks and personal protective masks, according to European standards?
Surgical Mask (EN14683); The main intended use of surgical masks is to protect the patients from infective organisms from the noses and mouths of the staff and, in certain situations, additionally to protect the wearer against splashes of potentially contaminated body fluids.
Personal Protective Mask (EN149); It is intended to provide adequate sealing on the face of the wearer against the ambient atmosphere, when the skin is dry or moist and when the head is moved.
Air enters the particle filtering half mask and passes directly to the nose and mouth area of the facepiece or, via an inhalation valve(s) if fitted. The exhaled air flows through the filter material and/or an exhalation valve (if fitted) directly to the ambient atmosphere. These devices are designed to protect against both solid and liquid aerosols.