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Influenza Pandemic

Information for First Responders

Infection Control

The first rule of infection control in the event of a Influenza Pandemic, as with any other infectious disease, is to remember the basics – Routine Practices.

Please note : The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care is developing a provincial position on personal protective equipment (i.e., masks) for use by health care professionals during an influenza pandemic.

Routine Practices include :

1. Hand hygiene with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, or with soap and water after any direct contact with the client. Hand hygiene is the single most important practice in preventing influenza transmission.
2. Using additional barriers as precautions to prevent contact with a client’s blood, body fluids, secretions, excrement and broken skin (scrapes, cuts, etc), such as :
   • Gloves - to be worn as an additional measure, not as a substitute for hand hygiene;
   • Gowns - may be worn if contamination of uniform or clothing is anticipated; and
   • Masks and eye protection (i.e. goggles or face shields) maybe worn if splashes or sprays of blood or body fluids is likely.

Infection Control for Influenza

Influenza virus is spread by droplets. These can be transmitted over short distances through the air by coughing or sneezing, or through direct contact with contaminated hands, objects or surfaces.

Influenza virus does not normally transmit through the air over distances greater than one metre, except possibly during specific medical procedures, termed High Risk Respiratory Procedures (see below). The most effective means of preventing transmission of influenza, in addition to Routine Practices is to use Droplet and Contact Precautions. These include using :

1. A surgical/procedure mask covering the responder’s nose and mouth when within one metre of the client;
2. Protective eye wear, such as goggles, safety glasses with side barriers, or face shields, if within one metre of the client;
3. Hand hygiene before contact with the client, after removing and disposing of personal protective equipment (masks, eye protection, gloves and gowns if applicable) and before touching your face, especially your eyes, nose or mouth;
4. Modification of normal procedures to minimize contact with droplets (i.e. sitting next to rather than directly in front of a coughing client); and
5. Cleaning or disposing after use of any equipment that contacts the client.

Remember - hand hygiene is the single most important practice in preventing influenza transmission.

High Risk Respiratory Procedures

High risk procedures have the potential to aerosolize virus droplets, making them more transmissible through the air. Such procedures include : airway suctioning, endotracheal intubation and bag-valve-mask ventilation.

First Responders who perform, or have exposure to, such procedures should have access to N95 or equivalent respirators.

N95 respirators must be fit-tested on a regular basis to be effective and to comply with occupational health and safety legislation.

Important links for additional information on Infection Control

• Infection Control Guidelines: Routine Practices and Additional Precautions for Preventing the Transmission of Infection in Health Care
• Infection Control Guidelines: Hand washing, Cleaning, Disinfection & Sterilization in Health Care
• Hand washing information and video
• Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care – Hand washing
• Prepared and Protected: Infection Control and Personal Protective Equipment for Respiratory Diseases