3M Technical Bulletin: Corona Virus Outbreak

At this time the WHO (World Health Organisation) has not made any recommendations for personal protective equipment (PPE) use, including respirators, by the general public. Please refer below under “Recommendations”

The following technical bulletin was issued by 3M with regards to the Novel Coronavirus Outbreak in January 2020.

3M’s suggested respiratory products are any FFP2 or FFP3 un-valved respirator.

Please note that N95 – 1860 Healthcare respirators is typically for use in Healthcare/patient care settings

Description

The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported an outbreak of disease originating in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China, caused by a novel coronavirus (referred to as 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV)). The initial cases of this virus have been associated with a specific seafood and animal market in Wuhan. Additional cases have been identified in people who have not visited this market, but have visited other markets or have interacted with infected individuals.

Virus

Illness is being caused by a newly identified coronavirus, 2019-nCoV. Coronaviruses are common and typically cause mild to moderate respiratory and cold type symptoms, though certain strains of coronaviruses have caused more severe illness. This newly identified virus is in the same family as the viruses that cause Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), which was first identified in Asia in 2003, and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), which was identified in 2012 with cases still occurring today. A main initial animal reservoir for the virus that caused SARS is believed to be civet cats that infected other animals, while the initial animal reservoir for the virus that causes MERS is believed to be dromedaries (e.g. camels). The reservoir for 2019-nCoV is not known at this time.

Health Effects

The symptoms of the illness associated with this novel coronavirus are similar to those caused by influenza and other respiratory illnesses and include coughing, shortness of breath, fever, and difficulty breathing. A small number of people infected with this novel coronavirus have died.

Transmission

This novel coronavirus was originally transmitted to humans via an animal reservoir (source), believed to be an animal that the initial cases encountered at the seafood and animal market in Wuhan. Authorities have confirmed that human-to-human transmission has also occurred. Secondary cases (contracted from humans rather than a reservoir) include both members of the public and also healthcare workers who have had contact with other infected people, and have occurred in several countries in addition to China.

Recommendations

At this time WHO has not made any recommendations for personal protective equipment (PPE) use, including respirators, by the general public.

WHO recommends that everyone wash their hands regularly, cover their nose and mouth when sneezing and coughing, and avoid close contact with anyone who is coughing or sneezing or showing signs of respiratory illness. WHO also recommends thoroughly cooking meat and eggs. WHO has published guidance intended for healthcare workers (HCWs), healthcare managers, and teams working in infection prevention and control. WHO recommends that eye protection (goggles or a face shield) be used during patient contact along with gloves, a medical mask, and a fluid resistant gown. Airborne precautions, including an N95, FFP2, or equivalent respirator, should be used during aerosol-generating procedures.

https://www.who.int/publications-detail/infection-prevention-and-control-during-health-care-when-novel-coronavirus-(ncov)-infection-is-suspected

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recommended that people entering the hospital or clinic room (in a healthcare facility) of a suspected novel coronavirus case use standard precautions, contact precautions, and airborne precautions, as well as use eye protection (goggles or a face shield). CDC refers to their infection control guidance website for additional guidance.

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/infection-control.html

Those potentially in contact with suspected or confirmed cases of this novel coronavirus should review all recommendations by the WHO, CDC, and other health authorities.

Summary

A novel coronavirus has been identified, which has caused cases of pneumonia-like symptoms in people who have been in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China, and cases have now been identified outside of China. The situation is evolving, and it is recommended that all concerned consult the WHO and U.S. CDC’s websites frequently for the most updated information regarding this situation.