Although Anguilla has no reported cases of the new flu, organizations such as the Red Cross is giving across the board directives on what should be worn if contact with carriers of the flu is made. These directives are based on the United Kingdom (UK) Health Protection Agency guidelines and have already been issued in the UK.

Local Red Cross branches are being urged to use the guidelines as good practice and share them within the community. In a release to the local branch, Operations Director responsible for Overseas Branches, Mr. Clive Evans, said he strongly suggested that the branches adopt the guidelines.

The UK Health Protection Agency considers face masks, aprons, and alcohol hand gels as Personal Protection Equipment and its guidelines considers how and when they should be employed.

The release said that the use of Personal Protective Equipment, such as facemasks, is easy for individuals to misuse or misapply and may also engender a sense of the wearer being “protected” and being less rigorous in applying other, more important, protective measures. It said, however, that, broadly speaking, the only circumstances where the use of facemasks by healthy individuals may play a part in reducing the risk of infection would be the situation where someone was in close contact (less than one metre) or caring for an ill or symptomatic individual.

According to the release, it is not recommend that healthy people wear facemasks to go about their everyday business and it detailed a number of steps in the wearing and removal of the masks.

Disposable plastic aprons should be used as part of PPE because there is a risk of contamination of clothing when in close contact (less than one metre) or caring for an ill or symptomatic individual. Storage of aprons should be in a clean dry area away from waste disposal to avoid contamination before use.

The release said before putting the apron on, hands should be cleaned with soap and hot water. Alternatively, alcohol gel should be used if soap and hot water are not available. Aprons are considered single use items and should be changed between each contact with a confirmed or suspected case. They should be disposed of as clinical waste.

Alcohol gel should be carried as part of PPE. It is an effective alternative to hand washing when soap and hot water are not available. To use the gel effectively, dispense the required amount onto the hands to ensure all areas are covered. Rub vigorously until the gel dries. The technique used is as for hand washing.

According to the release, if the hands are visibly soiled or feel grubby they must be washed with soap and hot water as soon as possible.

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