Avian (Bird) Flu, Seasonal Flu, Pandemic Flu
(Help protect your family, staff, patients
from harmful airborne pathogens, contaminants, pollutants-
Avian (bird) Flu, Seasonal (human) Flu, Pandemic Flu, Tuberculosis, SARS, etc.)
Considerable attention has been given recently to the prospect of an
influenza pandemic sweeping the globe and causing serious illness and death. The
following questions and answers will help give you a better understanding of
what an influenza pandemic is.
What is influenza ("the flu")?
Human influenza, or the flu, is a respiratory infection caused by the
influenza virus. There are two types of influenza viruses that cause outbreaks
each year: influenza A and B.
How is influenza spread?
The influenza virus spreads through droplets that have been coughed or
sneezed into the air by someone who has the flu. You can get the flu by
breathing in these droplets through your nose or mouth, or by the droplets
landing directly on your eyes. You can also contract the virus by shaking hands
with infected people or by touching contaminated surfaces then transferring the
virus to your own eyes, nose or mouth.
What are the symptoms of influenza?
Influenza typically starts with a headache, chills and cough, followed
by a fever, loss of appetite, muscle aches and fatigue, a running nose,
sneezing, watery eyes and a throat irritation. Nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea
may also occur, especially in children.
What are the health impacts of influenza?
Most people recover within a week to 10 days. Some individuals -
including those over 65 years old and adults and children with chronic
conditions such as diabetes and cancer - are at greater risk of more severe
complications, such as pneumonia. On average, about 4,000 Canadians die of
influenza and its complications each year, and in severe seasons the number of
deaths may be as high as 8,000.
What is the best way to avoid getting influenza?
Immunization provides the best protection for many illnesses, including
influenza. Each year, millions of Canadians receive the influenza vaccine, or
"flu shot," to avoid contracting influenza illness when viruses
circulate in the community during the fall and winter season.
You can reduce the risk of catching or spreading influenza by practicing
basic hygiene:
- Wash your hands regularly with warm, soapy water for at least 20 seconds,
especially before and after eating, after going to the bathroom, after
coughing and sneezing and after touching surfaces that may have been
contaminated.
- Cough and sneeze into a tissue or your sleeve to avoid spreading the virus
though infected droplets or contaminating your hands with the virus.
- Throw away used tissues promptly.
- Frequently clean and then disinfect household surfaces such as door
handles and light switches that may have been contaminated.
- Encourage all members of your household, especially children, to follow
these practices.
- If you do get the flu, stay at home and rest until you are feeling better.
What is avian influenza ("bird flu")?
Wild waterfowl are natural carriers of influenza A viruses. Usually
these avian influenza (" bird flu") viruses carried by wild birds
cause them little or no harm.
Other birds such as domestic poultry and animals, including pigs, can also
contract and transmit influenza viruses.
What is the bird flu that has caused illness in
domestic birds and some humans in Asia?
Currently, an avian influenza H5N1 strain is circulating in Southeast
Asia and parts of Europe, infecting many poultry populations and some humans.
This strain of influenza is "highly pathogenic," meaning it is highly
deadly to poultry. The H5N1 influenza virus has infected a limited number of
people, but there is no evidence it is spread from person to person.
What do "H" and "N" refer to when
identifying a virus?
Influenza viruses are classified by the characteristics of two surface
proteins: hemagglutinin, or "H" protein, and neuraminidase, or
"N" protein. There are 16 H types and 9 N types that can exist in any
combination. Some combinations are more pathogenic (deadly) to birds, but this
does not mean they are more likely to cause disease in humans.
What is a pandemic?
A pandemic is the worldwide outbreak of a specific disease to which
people have little or no immunity.
What is an influenza pandemic?
An influenza pandemic can occur when a radical change takes place in an
influenza A virus, causing the emergence of a new strain against which people
have little or no immunity. If this new subtype, or strain, has the ability to
spread easily from person to person, many people around the world could become
ill and possibly die. This is referred to as an influenza pandemic.
What causes an influenza A virus to change and result
in a new strain?
One way a new strain can emerge is if a person sick with a human
influenza virus also becomes infected with an avian influenza virus and the two
viruses re- assort, or "mix." This means that the avian influenza
virus acquires some of the human influenza genes, potentially creating a new
subtype of influenza A virus against which people have no immunity. Another way
a change can occur is for an avian influenza virus to undergo a number of
changes or mutations resulting in the ability of the new strain to infect people
and be transmitted among humans.
Help protect your family, staff, patients from harmful
airborne pathogens, contaminants, pollutants- Avian (bird) Flu, Seasonal (human)
Flu, Pandemic Flu, Tuberculosis, SARS, etc.
A Choice of Models of Air Filtration System, Air Purifier, Cleaner, Scrubber Models from
"Allerair- Home & Office" or
"Electrocorp- Industrial & Commercial"
to Suit Your Needs:
- Electrocorp I-6500 A-B, 750 - 1000 CFM
For hospital wards, IVF (In Vitro Fertility
Clinic / Center) clinics, cafeterias, smoking
rooms, waiting rooms, laser surgery, 750 to 1000 CFM motor / blower,
HEPA filter and Activated charcoal / carbon filter
- Electrocorp I-6500 AHO, Gel Sealed HEPA filter on a Knife Edge, Metal frame
Isolation room / ward,
crisis center, patient care, negative pressure, positive pressure
- Allerair Air Medic remove virtually all chemicals, particles, gases, and
odors on the very first pass
Cylindrical shape with 360º
air intake, HEPA filter, DOP Tested, Activated charcoal filter, remove
airborne particles, chemical fumes, gases, bad odors on the very first
pass
- Allerair UV (Ultra-violet) Light equipped air filtration systems,
air purifiers, cleaners, 10W and 20W UV Light Bulb
For that
extra measure of protection, air filtration system, air purifier,
cleaner with UV Light in addition to medical grade HEPA filter and
Activated charcoal / carbon filter
- Electrocorp Wall Mounted Air Filtration System, Air Purifier,
Cleaner for Dental Laboratories (Monomer Lab Unit)
Wall mounted, variable speed
motor / blower, chemical fumes, gases, odor removal / reduction,
medical grade HEPA filter, up to 30 pounds activated charcoal / carbon
filter
Wall mounted or on a rack - see photo on right
- Electrocorp Air Rhino, Hospital / Healthcare Construction
Renovation
For large scale odor, chemical
problem like fumes, odors, gases, also airborne dust particles,
variable speed motor / blower, 1000 CFM, HEPA filter, Activated
Charcoal / carbon filter
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