Swine Flu Masks
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Swine Flu
Frequently Asked Questions



  1. What is a Flu Pandemic?
  2. How frequent are they?
  3. Is there a pandemic now?
  4. How likely is a Flu Pandemic?
  5. What is Swine Flu?
  6. When should I start to worry?
  7. How many people could it effect?
  8. How do I catch flu?
  9. How can I avoid catching the flu?
  10. What sort of masks should I buy?



  1. What is a Flu Pandemic?

    A flu pandemic is generally defined as a type of flu that spreads rapidly around the world, infecting a most countries.

  2. How frequent are they?

    There have been 3 flu pandemics this century -

    1918-19 - "Spanish flu" (H1N1), caused upto 50 million deaths worldwide with many people dying within the first few days of infection.

    1957-58 - "Asian flu" (h3N2), caused about 70,000 deaths in the United States. First identified in China in late February 1957, the Asian flu spread to the United States by June 1957.

    1968-69 - " Hong Kong flu" (H3N2), caused about 34,000 deaths in the United States. This virus was first detected in Hong Kong in early 1968 and spread to the United States later that year.

    Scientists believe the next pandemic is 'long overdue'.

  3. Is there a pandemic now?

    The world health organisation has defined the stages of a pandemic -

    Interpandemic period

    Phase 1 : No new influenza virus subtypes have been detected in humans. An influenza virus subtype that has caused human infection may be present in animals. If present in animals, the risk of human infection or disease is considered to be low.

    Phase 2 : No new influenza virus subtypes have been detected in humans. However, a circulating animal influenza virus subtype poses a substantial risk of human disease.

    Pandemic alert period

    Phase 3 : Human infection(s) with a new subtype, but no human-to-human spread, or at most rare instances of spread to a close contact.

    Phase 4 : Small cluster(s) with limited human-to-human transmission but spread is highly localized, suggesting that the virus is not well adapted to humans.

    Phase 5 : Larger cluster(s) but human-to-human spread still localized, suggesting that the virus is becoming increasingly better adapted to humans but may not yet be fully transmissible (substantial pandemic risk).

    Pandemic period

    Phase 6 : Pandemic: increased and sustained transmission in general population.

    Current reports indicate we are in the Phase 4 Pandemic Alert Period. (Note: The previous 'Bird Flu' scares only reached Phase 3)

  4. How likely is a Flu Pandemic?

    Most experts agree it is a case of 'when' not 'if' the next pandemic occurs, and the current Swine Flu outbreak spreading out of Mexico is causing a great deal of concern.

  5. What is Swine Flu?

    Swine flu is a contagious disease caused by influenza A viruses which infects Pigs. Unfortunately a highly pathogenic strain, has jumped the species barrier, causing severe disease in humans - but only in a small number of cases so far.

  6. When should I start to worry?

    The swine flu has started spreading between humans in the same way as the 'normal' flu virus - through airborne droplets and also touching contaminated surfaces.

    It's too early to say if this will turn into a pandemic or fizzle out, and given the high number of fatalities in Mexico, but the so far apparent 'harmlessness' in other countries it is also too soon to say if it will lead to widespread death or just cause the usual flu symptoms.

  7. How many people could it effect?

    Current estimates are for 2-50million infections globally. The reason for the wide variation is that until the pandemics breaks out there is no way of knowing how easily people will be infected, how lethal the strain is, and if a vaccine can be developed to protect against it.

  8. How do I catch flu?

    Flu is a highly infectious illness, which spreads rapidly by coughs and sneezes from people who are already carrying the virus. You can because infected by breathing in the virus, or touching contaminated surface and touching your face.

  9. How can I avoid catching the flu?

    There is no way to guarantee you won't catch it if you are exposed to it, but you can go a long way to protecting yourself by keeping your hands clean (especially if you have been out in public) and by wearing a suitable mask when in close proximity to infected persons.

    There is no reason to be walking around in a mask right now, but when a pandemic occurs it will be good to have some handy!

  10. What sort of masks should I buy?

    The World Health Organisation and other international bodies recomend a mask that meets the FFP2 standard as a minimum. Do NOT use 'surgical masks', 'DIY masks' or any other kind of mask unless it meets at lease the FFP2 standard. If they meet the standard then it will actually be stamped on the mask itself. Masks that do not meet this minumum standard WILL NOT PROTECT YOU.