Yearly Archives: 2009

General Safety Issues, Respiratory Safety

TOO MUCH HYPE?

Your first answer will probably be “yes”, when being asked whether or not there was too much hype from the media, regarding the H1N1 influenza A virus that caused the World Health Organization to raise the pandemic threat alert to a level 5.  The virus resulted in several deaths in Mexico, and two in the United States.  Thanks to modern-day travel, the virus spread to several other countries, because people who were unaware they were sick and had been in Mexico later became ill, and the rest is history.

This H1N1 influenza A virus has caused a major inconvenience to parents, and students, whose schools were closed, school sporting events were cancelled, and graduation ceremonies postponed or cancelled.  But in the big picture, was it over-hyped by the media, or were they doing their job: warning the public of the honest concerns of the World Health Organization and Centers for Disease Prevention and Control?

This virus remains a mystery to scientists, as it is still spreading, and they realize there could be potential as a killer virus.  Infectious disease specialists worry that persons will ignore the next warnings of a flu pandemic, since this one seemed milder than they feared it would be.  Dr. Robert Daum, University of Chicago infectious disease expert, thinks authorities acted properly when the news first broke.  He also says that since the United States situation is not dire at this time, authorities should “downshift”.

Some scientists worry that H5N1 (bird flu) and H1N1 (swine flu) could combine into a new bug.  H5N1 has not established in pigs; however, it is endemic in parts of Asia and Africa. H1N1 is now being confirmed in South Korea and Hong Kong.  WHO Director-General Margaret Chan warns health officials in Bankok, “do not drop the ball on monitoring H5N1”.

Persons should continue to pay attention to what is happening with this new virus in the coming months.  Some medical experts fear that it may return in the fall.  Regardless of the hassle it caused those who were not sick, think about how bad it could have been if proper warnings had not been given.

Source: AP

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WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION ASSESSMENTS

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To help you understand how the WHO assesses the potential for a global influenza outbreak, we have listed:

  • Phase 1. No viruses circulating among animals have caused infections in humans.
  • Phase 2. Virus among animals have caused infections in humans; considered a threat.
  • Phase 3. Animal virus/animal-human virus causes some cases or small clusters of flu; doesn’t spread easily.
  • Phase 4. Human-to-human transmission of flu causes sustained outbreaks in community.
  • Phase 5. Flu spreads to at least two countries, causing bigger outbreaks.
  • Phase 6. More outbreaks in at least two world regions; pandemic underway.

This latest declaration of Phase 5 by the World Health Organization indicates that a pandemic could be imminent.  New cases and deaths finally seem to be leveling off in Mexico, but the threat is serious enough to step up all efforts to produce a vaccine for this type of influenza.

An unknown factor also playing out is the economic impact this will have.  Mexico, in addition to dealing with the illness, is also seeing a decline in tourism and having to close many of their gyms, restaurants, swimming pools, and other places.  Companies such as Honda, Caterpillar, and Xerox have restricted their expatriate workers from traveling south of the border at this time.

Many economic analysts feel that the economic fallout for the U.S. will be limited.  If the swine flu threat is contained, hopefully, it will have only short-term effects.  Knowing that the disease has not been terribly virulent outside of Mexico adds to the idea that it will not be a major epidemic.  Better advances in medicine and public health policies enhance the ability to monitor emergency illnesses, thereby preventing the world from being advanced to Phase 6.

General Safety Issues, Respiratory Safety

H1N1 INFLUENZA A UPDATE, MAY 5, 2009

The Texas Department of Health Services has reported the first death of a Texas resident from this virus:  a woman from Cameron County.  However, she also suffered from chronic underlying health problems as well.

The CDC has ceased recommending school closings, as the virus has resulted in less serious cases of the influenza as was first feared.  Numbers of confirmed cases have increased daily; however, the treatment of symptoms has been successful.  Problems of daycare and other issues have put a burden on parents of school children.  Local schools will make the final decision in regard to school closings.

Persons are still encouraged to take precautions to avoid catching or spreading this virus by continuing to take the common-sense approach, as is recommended by the experts:

  • Cover your mouth when coughing;
  • Cover your nose when sneezing; use your sleeve if you don’t have a tissue;
  • Stay away from crowds
  • Go to the doctor if you begin to have high fever and other flu-like symptoms;
  • Stay at home if you are sick.  Do not spread the germs at work or school;
  • Don’t use other persons’ phones, computers, or other equipment if they are ill.
General Safety Issues, Uncategorized

MAY 2009

We’ll make this short and sweet, featuring the highlights of celebrations and observations of May:

  • May 1st – May Day.  An international working class holiday, in honor of worker’s rights, celebrated worldwide.  (I think we still work that day, right?)
  • Kentucky Derby – 1st Saturday in May. Most famous horse race in the United States.
  • Cinco de Mayo – May 5th.  Anniversary of Mexican victory over French at Puebla in 1862, celebrated by Mexican Americans in U.S., and an official holiday in Mexico.
  • Mother’s Day – 2nd Sunday in May.  First observed in 1908, officially recognized by the President and Congress in 1914.
  • Armed Forces Day – 3rd Saturday in May.  U.S. honors men and women of the Army, Navy, and Air Force.  Previously, these branches had separate celebrations, but were combined in 1950.
  • Indianapolis 500 –Sunday before Memorial Day. (Start your engines!)
  • Memorial Day – Last Monday of May.  This legal holiday pays tribute to the memory of those who died while serving the United States in war.  It was first observed in 1866.

The month of May also brings many health awareness focuses, such as: Mental Health Awareness, National Stroke Awareness, Arthritis, Lupus, High Blood Pressure Education, Cancer Research, Correct Posture Month, and Nubrofibromatosis Awareness Month.  These are all worthwhile causes, and merit our investigation and assistance. Volunteering a little time to promote these issues, or making donations could mean a difference in someone’s life.

Please enjoy your May days, whether it’s to take your mom out on her special day, purchase a fancy, new hat for the Kentucky Derby, or buy those ear plugs for the Indianapolis 500, we hope this will be a wonderful part of your spring and usher you right into summer fun!  Just always stay safe!

General Safety Issues, Respiratory Safety

H1N1 Influenza A Update – May 4, 2009

Dr. Richard Besser, Acting Director of Centers for Disease Prevention and Control, today appeared on some early morning television shows and reports that he is “precautiously optimistic” about the trends of the virus that are now surfacing.  He is hopeful that this strain is not more serious, as feared, than any ordinary flu.  “We’re not out of the woods, but we aren’t seeing severe cases that we had been concerned about”, Dr. Besser commented.

The Associated Press count is 274 confirmed cases in 35 states in the U.S.  CDC count is 226 confirmed cases in 30 states.  Time lapse in state reporting to the federal agency accounts for the difference.  Totals as of today are:

  • New York – 63
  • Texas – 43
  • California – 29
  • Arizona – 18
  • South Carolina -15
  • Delaware – 10
  • Louisiana, New Jersey, and Massachusetts – 7
  • Colorado – 4
  • Florida, Indiana, Illinois, Nebraska, Ohio, Oregon, Virginia ,Wisconsin – 3
  • Connecticut, Kansas, Michigan – 2
  • Alabama, Iowa, Kentucky, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Utah – 1

As of today, May 4, the state of Texas is reporting 13 counties have confirmed cases.  Texas has 254 counties.

Cautionary measures remain the same: cover your mouth when you sneeze or cough, stay out of crowds, and stay at home if you are sick.  Do not attend work or school until your symptoms are gone.  Wash your hands often with soap and water, or alcohol sanitizing gel.

General Safety Issues, Respiratory Safety

FACE MASKS IN HIGH DEMAND

As the World Health Organization has raised the Pandemic Influenza (Swine Flu) threat to Level 5, pharmacies, medical suppliers, and others who sell face masks, respirators, and hand sanitizers are seeing a skyrocketing demand for such products.  There is a shortage of masks in Mexico, so many U.S. areas with large Mexican-American or Mexican populations (parts of Texas, California and the Chicago area) are seeing sales of large quantities, which will be sent to family and friends in Mexico.  Masks that the U.S. government is sending to Mexico are for first responders only – paramedics, police, and firefighters.  Individuals must purchase theirs.

In West Houston, Spring Branch Medical Supply had a run on face masks and hand sanitizers.  According to the Houston Chronicle, one of their normally slow-selling items became their hottest-seller.  People were lined up outside the door waiting to make their purchases.  Home improvement outlets, drug stores, and medical supply stores are almost completely sold out throughout Houston.  The Ft. Worth Star Telegram reports that local pharmacies have indicated supplies of surgical masks are depleted and on back order.  Harris Methodist Southwest Hospital pharmacy director stated that they were out of masks by Tuesday; however, their supplies should be replenished in a few days.  CVS Caremark, the biggest U.S. drugstore chain, said sales of face masks rose drastically on their website.  Walgreen, the U.S.’ second-largest drug chain, also reported an increased number of sales of face masks.

Elsewhere, in New Zealand, a demand for face masks has been ignited by this international scare.  Although there have been no reported confirmed cases in England and France, manufacturers and pharmacies are reporting sharp increases in the demand for face masks.
In Paris, a chemist at Pharmacie des Halles told CNN: “if you see a masks supplier, please send him to me”.  Suppliers are struggling with the demand in order to be prepared to handle an outbreak, should one occur.  In the Singapore airport, Watsons outlet has seen their demand for face masks jump ten times the normal range.

Production of face masks and respirators has been stepped up worldwide.  Respirators shield the user from biological contaminates, and face masks are designed to help prevent the spread of contaminates from the infected person.  They also keep persons from touching their noses and mouths, spreading germs they may have come in contact with from touching contaminated surfaces.

General Safety Issues, Respiratory Safety

WEARING FACEMASKS DURING THE THREAT OF SWINE FLU

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. Government are hoping to provide enough information to keep Americans prepared in case the threat of Swine Flu reaches higher proportions.  The death toll in Mexico has risen to 149 at the latest count, on Monday, April 27.  Cases in Mexico have been more severe, and affected young adults, which has not been a normal occurrence in most influenza cases.  Usually, the elderly and children are more susceptible to complications from flu.

This is not a time for panic; however, there are precautions that persons can take.  First of all, we all need to try to stay as healthy and strong as possible through proper diet and exercise.
If we can avoid crowds for a while, we need to do so.  Infected people may infect others beginning day one, before symptoms develop and up to 7 days after becoming ill.  You may be able to pass on the flu to someone else before you know you are sick, as well as while you are sick.

Some viruses live for 2 hours or longer on surfaces: tables, doorknobs, desks, keyboards, telephones, and money.  If you don’t wash your hands thoroughly, you can pick up those germs by touching your nose, mouth, or eyes.  Face masks not only protect you from breathing particles in the air from someone who has the virus, but they also keep you from touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.  Having a supply of face masks and disposable gloves at work, or at home, if you are caring for a sick person, is a good way to protect yourself.

Not just at this time, but also during seasonal outbreaks of flu or other infectious diseases: remember to:

  • Wash hands with warm soap and water
  • Keep hand sanitizer handy
  • Avoid crowds
  • Stay home if you are sick
  • Teach your children to wash their hands often

CDC

General Safety Issues, Respiratory Safety

SWINE FLU UPDATE – April 29, 2009

Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Israel, Spain, Britain and Germany are reporting cases of Swine Flu.  Sadly, the United States reported its first death as a result of the illness, a 23-month old toddler from Mexico City.  She had traveled from Mexico to Brownsville, Texas, became ill, and died Monday night in a Houston hospital.  Doctors theorize that Mexico has had more deaths from this type of flu because it has been circulating among its citizens longer.

We must realize that deaths from influenza are not uncommon.  In the United States alone, 36,000 persons die per year from flu-related illnesses.  The concern regarding this new strain, which combines pig, bird, and human viruses is that persons may have limited immunity to it.

Medical and scientific teams are working steadfastly to develop a new vaccine, but it is going to take time to produce initial shots for human safety testing.

At this time, things are very unpredictable.  The last thing we need to do is panic.  The media constantly reports numbers of cases worldwide; however, many of those are suspected cases, and not confirmed ones.  Testing must be done at certain laboratories to actually confirm the type of flu the person has.

So, use common sense.  The advice given by professionals is to wash hands frequently; stay out of crowds as much as possible.  Cover your face when you cough or sneeze, and if you feel you are getting flu-like symptoms, see your physician.  If you become sick, stay at home.  We all must do our part to curb the threat of a potentially serious health problem.

General Safety Issues, Respiratory Safety, Uncategorized

TEXAS INFORMATION – SWINE FLU

Following two confirmed cases of Swine Flu, and a possible third case, the Texas Department of State Health Services has closed fourteen schools in the Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City ISD.  The confirmed cases included students at Byron Steele High School, and were reported as mild.  Following many more reports of flu-like illnesses in the south Texas area, TDSHS will be conducting further investigations.

In Dallas, County Health Department officials are doing what they can to curb the threat of the illness affecting their city.  They have not received an advisory from the CDC, but are already taking action.  Dallas is a major hub for buses, with at least ten busing operators coming from Mexico, the country hardest hit by this influenza.  Mexican companies are sanitizing incoming buses, and questioning whether they should wear face masks, or hand them out to their passengers.  The representatives of the county health department are handing out literature to travelers, and inquiring if they are feeling ill, and if so, advising them to get treated if they are sick.  There are three suspected cases of Swine Flu in Dallas; all three are Dallas residents; however, they are not related and do not live near one another.

We are sure there will be much more news in the next few days regarding other states being affected by this threat.  Hopefully, with the information the government and media are providing, folks will know what to do to stay well, and take all precautions to avoid contacting this influenza, as they do whenever there is an outbreak of any illness.

TSDHS
WFAA.tv

General Safety Issues, Respiratory Safety

SWINE FLU PROTECTION

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One of the key ways to protect oneself from the spread of germs is to wear a facemask or N95 respirator.  Swine Flu Masks are available in many different designs for a comfortable fit.

The symptoms of the Swine Flu are typical of other strains of flu: coughing, fever, sore throat, sneezing, body aches, and some reports of diarrhea and vomiting.  In Mexico, the outbreak has become very serious.  Pharmacies have sold out of facemasks; there have even been reports of persons stockpiling them and asking twenty-five times the price of them.

If the Swine Flu progresses through the United States and other countries, now is a good time to instruct those who are taking care of sick family members on the proper use of facemasks or respirators.  Healthcare givers, such as nursing home attendants, hospital and emergency staffs are already well trained in the use of personal protective equipment.  Here are some safety tips for using respirators or facemasks:

  • If you must have close contact with the sick person (holding a sick child), spend the least amount of time possible in close contact and wear a facemask (for example, surgical mask) or N95 disposable respirator.
  • Breathing through a facemask is easier than an N95 respirator for an extended period of time; however, the respirator filters out germs that can be inhaled around the edges of a facemask.
  • If you help a sick person with respiratory treatments using a nebulizer or inhaler, as directed by their physician, you should wear an N95 respirator.  These treatments should be given in a different room of the house, if possible.
  • After you remove a facemask or N95 respirator, wash your hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.  Hot water and soap is preferred.
  • Used facemasks and N95 respirators should never come in contact with anything else and should be properly disposed of.
  • If a reusable fabric facemask is used, it should be laundered with normal laundry detergent and tumble-dried in a hot dryer. Use this type of protection as a last resort; disposable protection is preferred.

The best way to avoid illness is to stay as healthy as possible and keep away from those you know are sick.  If you think you may have this virus, see your doctor as soon as possible, and get treated.  So far, the cases of Swine Flu in the United States have been mild.