The increase in outbreaks of swine flu around the world means that manufacturers of masks have to meet the demand for millions of orders by health authorities in many countries. In the United Kingdom, for example, the British Ministry of Health reported that 32 million additional masks have been ordered in the fear that the swine flu virus could spread beyond the two confirmed cases.

Although the World Health Organization has not yet established specific guidelines with regard to measures for respiratory protection, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has recommended the use of the N95 mask model. This designation is of American terminology. In Europe, the alternatives are the FFP2 and FFP3 models.

The firm 3M, maker of surgical and protective masks, has noted of the immediately increasing production of their N95 masks to provide for international orders. 3M has announced the mass production of the requested model. This was the same type that was used during the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) crisis.

Additionally, the two drugs containing potential efficacy against swine flu, Tamiflu and Relenza, are being accumulated and stored for availability in hospitals. The swine flu virus has already spread to most continents around the globe. It is now at just one alert level lower than pandemic.

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Via Chicago Tribune/Telegraph.co.uk