Can we reduce the spread of influenza in schools with face masks?
published online 07 June 2010. Corrected Proof
There is sufficient evidence indicating that masks, if worn properly and consistently, are an effective nonpharmaceutical intervention in the control of disease spread. The use of masks during a pandemic can minimize the spread of influenza and its economic impact, yet mask-wearing compliance in adults is often poor. Educating the public on the effectiveness of masks can increase compliance whilst reducing morbidity and mortality. With targeted campaigns and the help of the fashion industry, masks may become a popular accessory amongst school children. As children are effective source-transmitters of infection, encouraging a trend toward such increased mask-wearing could result in a significant, self-perpetuating reduction mechanism for limiting influenza transmission in schools during a pandemic.
Los Alamos, New Mexico; Calgary, Alberta, Canada; University Park, Pennsylvania; and Singapore
aLos Alamos National Laboratory, Energy and Infrastructure Analysis, Decisions Applications Division, Los Alamos, New Mexico
bProvincial Laboratory for Public Health of Alberta and the Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
cGas Dynamics Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania
dDepartment of Laboratory Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
Address correspondence to Dr Julian W. Tang, Department of Laboratory Medicine, National University Hospital, 5 Lower Kent Ridge Road, Singapore 119074.
ABSTRACT