You can’t mask the flu out

Special protection masks against H1N1 go out of stock. Disposable surgical masks doing brisk business

You can't mask the flu out

Special protection masks against H1N1 go out of stock. Disposable surgical masks doing brisk business

The panic is slowly but surely setting in.

The national capital with 228 reported cases of swine flu has started feeling the heat as the residents lined up before the hospitals to get themselves checked and the protective gear the specialized N-95 masks going out of stock.

The demand for the masks has gone manifold, resulting in chemists across the city and the National Capital Region running short in supply. The masks made of three layers of spun cloth have proven effective in providing safety against contracting the H1N1 virus.

"The cheap anti-pollution masks made out of normal cotton cloth (priced at roughly Rs 10) are in huge demand.

Though they do not guarantee any safety against swine flu virus. The N-95 are not easily available. Most chemists have placed orders with distributors after the demand surged," said one of the store managers of Apollo Pharmacy located in south Delhi.

Another chemist Satya Kumar, whose shop is located near All India Institute of Medical Sciences said, "Nearly 50-60 people come daily enquiring about the mask but we have had to turn them away due to its non-availability. We advise them to purchase cloth and disposable surgical masks."

A guard at the gate of the screening ward (above)
Pics/Imtiyaz Khan

President of the All India Chemist and Druggists Federation (AICDA), Kailash Gupta said, "Swine flu is a temporary thing and none of the manufacturers produce masks in advance. Only a limited quantity of it is produced. Now that the demand has suddenly increased manifolds, the supply has fallen short. Fresh orders for the masks have already been placed. The manufacturer also fears that once the flu gets over the price of the mask will also fall and they will end up suffering loss."

Meanwhile, the government is not ready to accept. The government claimed that the masks are available in ample quantity. "The people are advised not to take any medicine, in case of any ordinary flu, without consulting any physician," it said.

The N-95 disposable mask comes in five different models. It costs Rs 55 to Rs 270. It is suppose to help reduce exposure to particles more than 0.3 microns in size. The N95 respirator has more than 95% filtering efficiency.

It has been tested and recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO) for pandemics.

Rajesh Mathur, an IT executive working with an MNC in Delhi said, "We come across with hundreds of clients, including people from other nations. So it's necessary to protect ourself against this pandemic but when I went to buy a mask, it was nowhere available. Finally I managed to purchase a normal mask."

Did you hear how deadly it is? Two people with masks outside the special swine flu screening ward at the Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital in New Delhi on Sunday

The non-availability of the masks has the medical practitioners also worried. "Masks are only needed by those who are coming in direct touch with the swine flu patients and are only being given on our recommendations," President of Heart Care Foundation of India Dr KK Aggarwal said.

N-95 MASK
The masks are named N-95 because they are known to block 95 per cent of all particles. Particles above 0.3 micron cannot pass through the three layers of spun cloth of which the masks are made of. Globally there are two leading manufacturers of the N95 mask Kimberly Clark and 3M. The masks of both manufacturers have been certified by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).

The masks are generally used to protect against highly transmissible respiratory infections such as tuberculosis.
The masks cost Rs 55-70.

Disadvantages
May cause breathing difficulties. Children may not be able to cover up the nose and mouth completely.

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