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Can we stop a bird flu pandemic?
In 1918, over 60 million people died in agony from a horrific bird flu pandemic. Twenty-five million people died in the first 25 weeks alone. Scientists and governments are worried that the next pandemic is overdue and imminent.
Even with modern medicine, experts believe that the next bird flu pandemic could kill over 62 million people. Of these deaths, 96% will be in developing nations and over 17 million will be children.
Why such a devastating result in the twenty-first century? Because modern medicine has yet to develop adequate drug interventions to prevent the transmission, or even treat the symptoms, of a pandemic flu strain.
Without a drug arsenal, humans are completely vulnerable to the type of massive viral attack expected in a pandemic. Until now, that is. A Hong Kong based biotechnology company has developed an alternative to drug intervention – a new low-cost, self-sanitizing and highly breathable medical facemask which detects and kills the influenza virus on contact before it can enter the human body.
This technologically-advanced “BioMask” could play an essential role in breaking the transmission of a pandemic strain – especially in developing nations. Scientists believe that an effective facemask could reduce the number of cases from one million to just 6 cases in the first eight weeks of a pandemic.
With no drugs to intervene, scientists now believe we must rely on two fundamental methods of breaking disease transmission, clean hands and a masked face. But few – if any – standard masks are equal to the task. Filligent’s BioMask is the missing link in protective face masks for the masses. Coupled with good hand hygiene it is our front-line of defence against a flu pandemic.
Studies have shown that standard masks offer substantially less protection from airborne diseases than previously thought. In fact, they could exacerbate disease transmission. Most are designed to protect the wearer from major blood splashes, not the inhalation of highly-evolved micro-organisms which are so small they can float on the air like invisible smoke.
Most standard masks are difficult and uncomfortable to wear. The discomfort leads people to either avoid wearing them or to wear them incorrectly, leading to excessive handling of the contaminated surfaces. Contaminated air either penetrates through the mask or takes the path of least resistance, pushing past the mask and venting through the gaps on the sides.
Standard masks can play a role in spreading disease. Germs collect on their surfaces where they can remain alive for hours, sometimes days, and are easily transferred to the hands and other surfaces. Once on the hands, the germs are easily introduced into the eyes, mouth or nose, a process called cross-contamination.
Standard masks do not fit small faces, at best leaving large side vents for contaminated air to pass in and out.
By contrast, the BioMask was purpose-designed to combat airborne transmissible diseases – from influenza to drug-resistant tuberculosis. Its intelligent filtration system is designed specifically to attract and trap live micro-organisms, without compromising breathability. Its self-sanitizing surfaces then kill the micro-organisms within minutes of contact. Its double curvature design and adjustable ear loops make it easy to fit almost all face-sizes. A special version meets the needs of smaller faces.
Filligent, the company behind the BioMask, is a socially-responsible biotechnology firm dedicated to delivering pragmatic and effective health solutions. Its principal concern is bridging the health gap for developing nations. It has designed the BioMask to be affordable by all – providing all-day protection for a price that is up to 25% less than a standard surgical mask.
Are we protected from the next flu pandemic? Filligent's BioMask could give us a fighting chance – by giving us enough time and courage to develop and deliver the protective drugs deserved by all.