Pandemic Flu and Infection Prevention and Control

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Pandemic Flu and Infection Prevention and Control

• Emma.K.Lee
• Associate Nurse Specialist
• Infection Prevention Control, LCHS

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Transmission

• Incubation period - time from exposure to onset
  of symptoms
• - likely to be 1-4 days (2-3
  typical)
• Period of infectivity -when someone is capable of
  infecting others
• immediately from the
  onset of symptoms
• 3-5 days in most children
• 7-8 days in most adults

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Transmission

• Period of infectivity likely to be reduced by
  early treatment with Tamiflu (within 12h)
• Infectiousness proportional to symptoms
• Safe option is to assume infectious until
  symptoms have resolved

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Possible modes of spread

• Large droplets virus laden secretions -
  coughs, sneezes which travel up to 3 feet
• Contact DIRECT persons touching each other
  skin-skin
• INDIRECT persons touching surfaces
  contaminated by viruses

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Possible modes of spread

• Airborne or fine droplet (aerosol)
• tiny particles containing viruses which remain
  suspended in the air, can travel long distances,
  and be inhaled - not much evidence for this
  outside of animal models not considered
  significant

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Virus survival

• Hard surfaces
• viruses detectable for up to72h
• transferable and detectable on hands for only 24h
• Soft surfaces/furnishings
• detectable for up to 24h
• transferable and detectable on hands for only 15
  minutes
• Survival on hands after transfer
• 5 minutes

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Clearance of virus

• Easily inactivated on surfaces by 1.household
  cleaners
• 2.bleach solutions
• 3.standard detergents
• Easily inactivated on hands by 1.soap, water and
  drying
• 2.alcohol hand rub

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PANDEMIC INFLUENZA PERSONAL PROTECTIVE
EQUIPMENT (PPE)
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General Guidance

• If in close contact with a case or suspected case
  of influenza during a pandemic situation the
  infection control guidance is the same as in a
  non-pandemic situation i.e. use of appropriate
  PPE to avoid acquisition/spread of infection

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PANDEMIC INFLUENZA PERSONAL PROTECTIVE
EQUIPMENT (PPE)
Wear a surgical mask, then
Direct care to be provided?
Assess risk
NO Mask only for entry to area with no patient
contact
YES Don disposable gloves and plastic apron
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Dont's of PPE
Do's of PPE

• Work from Clean to Dirty
• Limit opportunities for touch contamination
• Protect yourselves, others and the environment
• Discard as clinical waste.

• Don't touch your face or adjust PPE with
  contaminated gloves
• Don't touch environmental surfaces except as
  necessary during patient care

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Your Responsibilities

• Acting as a role model embed good infection
  control procedures on a day-to-day basis at work
  at home
• Awaiting final guidance from DH on infection
  control for Social Care (check DoH website)
• People who become symptomatic at work should go
  home as quickly as possible, isolating themselves
  where practical contact the National Flu Line
• Although national provision of PPE is being
  discussed employers need to make provision
  guidance available at
• HSE - www.hse.gov.uk/biosafety/diseases/pandemic.h
  tm
• DoH - Pandemic influenza guidance for infection
  control in hospitals and primary care settings

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Further Information Questions?

• Websites further infection control information
• Department of Health (DoH)
• Health Protection Agency (HPA)
• World Health Organisation (WHO)
• DoH Pandemic Flu FAQ delegate packs
• pandemicflu_at_dh.gsi.gov.uk
• Shayne.ward_at_lpct.nhs.uk (NHS Lincolnshire
  Pandemic Flu Planning Coordinator)