UPDATE: A/H1N1 (Swine Flu) Environmental Controls
the emergence of this new strain of swine influenza (H1N1) is a rapidly changing situation. All infection preventionists will be called upon to activate preparedness and response plans at their affiliates to prevent cross transmission and manage a surge of potentially infectious patients. ..." Russell N. Olmsted, MPH, CIC - Epidemiologist, Ann Arbor, MI A/H1N1 has become a major concern. Although mortalities in the US remain low, it is now considered to have widespread human infection and successive generations of the virus may become more virulent and/or severe. Historically influenza preparedness efforts have focused on vaccine production. Although an effective measure, it takes months to produce a virus strain specific vaccine. If the virus mutates or another strain emerges the vaccine effectiveness may be reduced or eliminated. A/H1N1 is a novel strain and it could be 6 months or more before a vaccine could be made ready. "For the vaccine to work, it must match the circulating, "wild-type" virus relatively closely" Richard Besser, acting head of the CDC. Environmental Controls help prevent exposure and are effective against all influenza and other airborne diseases. As such, they form an important part of pandemic planning to: " Protect general waiting room population " Increase surge capacit-y Allow for mass isolation / cohorting For more information on how environmental controls can help, please review the PDF below.
