Disposable flu masks "not reusable" says WHO, despite potential shortage
This article was originally published in Clinica
Executive Summary
There is currently no safe way to reuse disposable respirators and medical masks in the event of a flu pandemic, the US Institute of Medicine concluded last week. Masks and respirators are considered by the World Health Organization to be a second line of defence against such an outbreak. But the WHO estimates that at least 2.6 billion medical masks and some 90 million N95 respirators would be needed, should a flu pandemic occur.