Summary of Interim Public Health Guidance for the Use of Facemasks and Respirators in Non-Occupational Community Settings during an Influenza Pandemic

Information on the use of facemasks and respirators for the control of pandemic influenza in community settings is extremely limited. Thus, it is difficult to assess their potential effectiveness in controlling influenza in these settings. In the absence of clear scientific data, the interim recommendations below have been developed on the basis of public health judgment and the historical use of facemasks and respirators in other settings.

During an influenza pandemic, the risk for influenza can be reduced through a combination of simple actions. No single action will provide complete protection, but an approach combining the following steps may help decrease the likelihood of infection: handwashing, isolation and treatment with antiviral medications of persons with confirmed or probable influenza, voluntary home quarantine of members of households with confirmed or probable influenza cases, reduction of unnecessary social contacts, and avoidance whenever possible of crowded or congested social settings.

When it is absolutely necessary to enter a crowded setting or to have close contact with persons who might be infectious, the time spent in that setting should be as short as possible. If used correctly, facemasks and respirators may help prevent some exposures, but they should be used along with other preventive measures, such as social distancing and hand hygiene. When crowded settings or close contact with others cannot be avoided, the use of facemasks or respirators should be considered as follows:

• Whenever possible, rather than relying on the use of masks or respirators, close contact and crowded conditions should be avoided during an influenza pandemic.
• Facemasks should be considered for use by individuals who enter crowded settings, both to protect their nose and mouth from other people's coughs and to reduce the wearers' likelihood of coughing on others; the time spent in crowded settings should be as short as possible.
• Respirators should be considered for use by individuals for whom close contact with an infectious person is unavoidable. This can include selected individuals who must care for a sick person (e.g., family member with a respiratory infection) at home.

These interim recommendations will be revised as new information about the use of facemasks and respirators in the setting of pandemic influenza becomes available.