Can we reduce the spread of influenza in schools with face masks?

• Published in: American journal of infection control 2010-11, Vol.38 (9), p.676-677
• Main Authors: Del Valle, Sara Y., PhD, Tellier, Raymond, MD, MSc, FRCPC, Settles, Gary S., PhD, Tang, Julian W., PhD, MRCP, FRCPath
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Child; children; Disease control; Disease Outbreaks - prevention & control; Disease transmission; droplet; Epidemiology. Vaccinations; General aspects; Human viral diseases; Humans; Infection Control; Infection Control - methods; Infectious Disease; Infectious diseases; Influenza; Influenza, Human - epidemiology; Influenza, Human - prevention & control; Influenza, Human - transmission; intervention; Masks - utilization; Medical sciences; Medical supplies; Nonpharmaceutical; pandemic; Pandemics; prevention; Schools; social distancing; Students; transmission; Viral diseases; Viral diseases of the respiratory system and ent viral diseases
• ISSN: 0196-6553; 1527-3296
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ajic.2010.03.012

There is sufficient evidence indicating that masks, if worn properly and consistently, are an effective nonpharmaceutical intervention in the control of disease spread. The use of masks during a pandemic can minimize the spread of influenza and its economic impact, yet mask-wearing compliance in adults is often poor. Educating the public on the effectiveness of masks can increase compliance whilst reducing morbidity and mortality. With targeted campaigns and the help of the fashion industry, masks may become a popular accessory amongst school children. As children are effective source-transmitters of infection, encouraging a trend toward such increased mask-wearing could result in a significant, self-perpetuating reduction mechanism for limiting influenza transmission in schools during a pandemic.