Protective Measures For Prevention Of SARS Infection

What We Know About SARS

Viral infection – a new mutation of coronavirus is suspected as the cause.

Affects all age groups, highest number of deaths have been among people with pre-existing chronic conditions.

Suspected to have originated in Guandong, China.

Causes atypical pneumonia in infected patients.

Coronavirus Family

Cause mild to moderate respiratory illnesses such as common cold.

Able to survive in dry air for up to 3 hours.

Can be killed by exposure to ultra-violet light, so they will not survive under sunlight.

Mutate easily, and each mutation triggers off an epidemic of respiratory disease.

Methods Of Transmission

Most frequent method of transmission of coronavirus from person to person is droplet transmission.

If the sick person coughs or sneezes, the virus can be carried in saliva droplets to people nearby, infecting them.

Airborne Transmission

Coronavirus family also has the property of surviving in dry air/surfaces for up to 3 hours.

In these conditions, the virus crystallizes, and can float in the air like dust.

It is suspected that the SARS

virus can be transmitted in

this manner.

Infectivity And Virulence

Infectivity is the ability of a virus to jump from one person to another. The recipient must receive a dose large enough to cause the disease. From epidemic reports, it appears that SARS virus has low infectivity (ie it requires a large dose to pass on to the recipient). Other members of the coronavirus family have very high infectivity.

Virulence is the property of the virus to cause damage to the patient’s organs. The SARS virus is very virulent. Other members of the coronavirus family have low virulence.

Incubation Period

After the virus enters the body, it requires 3-10 days incubation period before the disease appears.

According to current data, infected people do not pass on the virus to others during the incubation period.

They become infectious only when the first symptoms appear: cough, sneezing – which spread droplets containing virus particles.

Attenuation

Attenuation is a phenomenon seen in some members of the coronavirus family, where the virulence decreases when it jumps from person to person.

The SARS virus seems exhibit this phenomenon (however, there are no studies yet to prove this).

Symptoms

Cough, nasal congestion, sneezing

High fever (39°C or higher)

Severe muscle and joint pain

Difficulty in breathing – similar to asthma

Continuous localized pain in the chest, which increases when taking a breath

Risks To PMS Employees

Customer Engineers, Clinical Specialists and sales people who visit hospitals are under risk of contracting SARS, and must take precautions.

In the event an employee is suspected of having contracted the disease, he/she must must take steps not to expose colleagues and customers to risk.

Precautions To Take When Visiting ICUs

Leave all personal belongings, not relevant to the visit, in the office.

Take a N95 or FFP-1grade mask from the office.

Before entering the unit, put on the mask as per instructions, and check for leakage.

After entering the unit, ask for a pair of surgical gloves before handling equipment.

Do not place belongings, tools etc on the floor or on exposed surfaces. Request a paper towel from the staff to spread on the surface.

If you need to bring equipment/parts back to the office, have them sterilized according to hospital procedure by a member of the ICU staff.

When Leaving The ICU…

After exiting the unit, remove the mask first and discard it, then remove the gloves.

Wash hands thoroughly with chlorhexidine scrub solution.

Do not re-use a mask.

Do not touch a used mask without wearing gloves.

Safety In Public Places

So far, all recorded SARS cases have developed the disease only after having prolonged and close contact with a patient (eg. family members, doctors and nurses).

There are no recorded instances, where the disease was transmitted via casual contact, traveling in public transport etc.

A person can only pass on the infection after symptoms appear.

Only a very small percentage of the population have the disease (eg 90 out of 4 million), and they are sequestered.

Therefore, wearing masks in public places and transport will not give any appreciable protective benefit.

However, if you suspect that you have become infected with SARS, wearing a mask when traveling to the hospital is your civic responsibility.

What To Do If You Think You Have SARS

If you develop fever, cough and muscle pain:

Inform your supervisor

Go to the company doctor immediately

If you are quarantined by health authorities:

Inform your supervisor

Compile a list of colleagues and customers you have had contact with for the last 3 days and forward it via e-mail to your supervisor

Do not leave your house for any reason, or entertain visitors during the quarantine period

If you develop any of the symptoms during the quarantine period, inform relevant health authorities immediately


	Viral infection – a new mutation of coronavirus is suspected as the cause.
	Affects all age groups, highest number of deaths have been among people with pre-existing chronic conditions.
	Suspected to have originated in Guandong, China.
	Causes atypical pneumonia in infected patients.


	Cause mild to moderate respiratory illnesses such as common cold.
	Able to survive in dry air for up to 3 hours.
	Can be killed by exposure to ultra-violet light, so they will not survive under sunlight.
	Mutate easily, and each mutation triggers off an epidemic of respiratory disease.


	Most frequent method of transmission of coronavirus from person to person is droplet transmission.
	If the sick person coughs or sneezes, the virus can be carried in saliva droplets to people nearby, infecting them.


	Coronavirus family also has the property of surviving in dry air/surfaces for up to 3 hours.
	In these conditions, the virus crystallizes, and can float in the air like dust.
	It is suspected that the SARS
	virus can be transmitted in
	this manner.


	Infectivity is the ability of a virus to jump from one person to another. The recipient must receive a dose large enough to cause the disease. From epidemic reports, it appears that SARS virus has low infectivity (ie it requires a large dose to pass on to the recipient). Other members of the coronavirus family have very high infectivity.
	Virulence is the property of the virus to cause damage to the patient’s organs. The SARS virus is very virulent. Other members of the coronavirus family have low virulence.


	After the virus enters the body, it requires 3-10 days incubation period before the disease appears.
	According to current data, infected people do not pass on the virus to others during the incubation period.
	They become infectious only when the first symptoms appear: cough, sneezing – which spread droplets containing virus particles.


	Attenuation is a phenomenon seen in some members of the coronavirus family, where the virulence decreases when it jumps from person to person.
	The SARS virus seems exhibit this phenomenon (however, there are no studies yet to prove this).


	Cough, nasal congestion, sneezing
	High fever (39°C or higher)
	Severe muscle and joint pain
	Difficulty in breathing – similar to asthma
	Continuous localized pain in the chest, which increases when taking a breath


	Customer Engineers, Clinical Specialists and sales people who visit hospitals are under risk of contracting SARS, and must take precautions.
	In the event an employee is suspected of having contracted the disease, he/she must must take steps not to expose colleagues and customers to risk.


	Leave all personal belongings, not relevant to the visit, in the office.
	Take a N95 or FFP-1grade mask from the office.
	Before entering the unit, put on the mask as per instructions, and check for leakage.
	After entering the unit, ask for a pair of surgical gloves before handling equipment.
	Do not place belongings, tools etc on the floor or on exposed surfaces. Request a paper towel from the staff to spread on the surface.
	If you need to bring equipment/parts back to the office, have them sterilized according to hospital procedure by a member of the ICU staff.


	After exiting the unit, remove the mask first and discard it, then remove the gloves.
	Wash hands thoroughly with chlorhexidine scrub solution.
	Do not re-use a mask.
	Do not touch a used mask without wearing gloves.


	So far, all recorded SARS cases have developed the disease only after having prolonged and close contact with a patient (eg. family members, doctors and nurses).
	There are no recorded instances, where the disease was transmitted via casual contact, traveling in public transport etc.
	A person can only pass on the infection after symptoms appear.
	Only a very small percentage of the population have the disease (eg 90 out of 4 million), and they are sequestered.
	Therefore, wearing masks in public places and transport will not give any appreciable protective benefit.
	However, if you suspect that you have become infected with SARS, wearing a mask when traveling to the hospital is your civic responsibility.


	If you develop fever, cough and muscle pain:
		Inform your supervisor
		Go to the company doctor immediately
	If you are quarantined by health authorities:
		Inform your supervisor
		Compile a list of colleagues and customers you have had contact with for the last 3 days and forward it via e-mail to your supervisor
		Do not leave your house for any reason, or entertain visitors during the quarantine period
		If you develop any of the symptoms during the quarantine period, inform relevant health authorities immediately