JANUARY - Saraya

2014
JANUA
RY
Dear Taira Times Fans and Readers. Happy New Year to you. I’m looking to a great year of food safety education. I hope everybody made it through the festive season safely.
This year is the year of the horse. While I think that a horse-based influenza would be less threatening to
humans, I’d like to talk about another barnyard virus threatening us in 2014. This month let’s talk about avian
flu (H7N9). Avian flu was discovered in China in March, 2013 and has been spreading to Taiwan and Hong
Kong. Mutated forms of the virus are also being discovered. In addition to information about avian flu, let’s
talk about how to protect ourselves from infection. I hope everybody made the New Year’s resolution to read
more, because there is a lot of great reading below.
■ The Recent Movement of Avian Flu H7N9
Four people in Guangdong province in southern China recently became infected with avian flu and the government is increasing measures to prevent further spread of the virus. The most recent infected patient is in
critical condition since December 19th. Since March, 2013 148 people have been infected with H7N9, with the
first patients appearing in Shanghai.
Infection was low in the summer, but in response to infections in Guangdong and
Hong Kong in December, the Chinese government has sent a special team to investigate markets that sell live poultry as well as healthcare clinics to curb further
infections.
The Taira Times has not confirmed that specific details of the Chinese special team,
but we believe they are taking efforts to identify potential sources of infection as
well as possible ways to prevent the spread of infection.
In other breaking news, an elderly woman in China was confirmed to have passed
away from a new type of avian flu, H10N8.
An expert has confirmed that this is the first time H10N8 has spread to humans Investigation is in progress on
whether this virus poses a significant threat to humans. Symptoms of H10N8 focused on chronic respiratory
distress. Fortunately the woman who passed away from this virus did not spread the infection to any others.
The Japan National Institute of Infectious Diseases has found through analyzing H10N8’s genetic make up that
the virus is a mildly dangerous type of flu that infects birds. Because it was found in the elderly woman, it is
thought that the virus could spread more rapidly to human given the proper conditions.
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■ Avian Flu H7N9 Q&A. You have questions, Taira-sensei has answers!
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What is Avian Flu H7N9?
Avian Flu H7N9 is a type of influenza virus that is infectious to humans. It was first reported to infect
humans in March, 2013 in China. The influenza virus is largely divided into 3 types: A, B and C. A and
B types are the cause of the current outbreak. Type A influenza is differentiated by the proteins
found on the surface of the virus. H stands for Hemagglutinin and N stands for Neuraminidase. In
addition there are different types of these proteins. There are 16 variants of Hemagglutinin (H1H16) and 9 variants of Neuraminidase (N1-N9). The variant of A type influenza that infects birds is
commonly called “bird flu” or “avian flu.” The current form of influenza infecting humans from birds
is N7H9.
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How are avian flu and swine flu (H1N1) related?
Avian flu is not H1N1 (swine flu), which we saw break out a few years ago. Avian flu is an infection
that usually causes birds to become sick. Yes, birds, dogs, panda bears and other animals can get
sick with the flu. Recently avian flu has been infecting humans, but the infection does not spread
from one human to another like H1N1 was able to do. Viruses can mutate, and if avian flu were to
mutate in a specific way, infected humans might be able to easily spread avian flu to other people
like the common flu each winter. H1N1 was a mutated form of influenza that was common in pigs.
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Are there any cases when the virus has been transmitted from one person to another.
As of now there have not been any confirmed cases of human to human infection. However, there
have been some questionable cases of multiple infections in a household. Other types of avian flu
(H5N1) have had limited cases of human to human infection, but this is different from H7N9.
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Is it true that avian flu H7N9 is becoming more contagious to humans?
Usually, it is rare for animal viruses to infect humans. The current virus infecting people in China was
analyzed and found to have genes that make it easier to infect humans, which is why this virus
sometimes makes it into a human host unlike most avian flu viruses. Currently research is being
conducted as to this virus is actually gaining further ability to infect humans more easily.
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How can I prevent infection?
A: Infection can be prevent through various measures such as avoiding contact with birds and foul
such as homes with pet birds, live bird markets and pet shops, and bird meat processing factories.
Always remember to wash your hands regularly throughout the day and practice good coughing
etiquette.
Source: Ministry of Health Japan, Avian Flu (H7N9) Q&A
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■ Using normal preventative measures for the flu can go a long way.
Let’s look at infection routes and countermeasures!
Sources of influenza infection
One can become infected after touching an object contaminated with a virus. Once the virus is on your hand
it can infect your body when you use the same hand to touch your eyes, nose or mouth. Coughing or sneezing
can also send the virus flying through the air on tiny droplets of saliva and mucous riding straight into your
face and down your lungs. The packets of contaminated human fluids can fly through the air and land on
objects, waiting like tiny landmines for you to pick up with your fingers.
To prevent others from getting infected, it is a good idea to be polite and wear a mask if you are sick. This will
prevent you from spraying contaminated virus paste across the room every time you cough or sneeze. Taira
Sensei calls this etiquette. If you are not sick with the flu, you should protect yourself by washing your hands
after coming home, handling possibly contaminated objects, sneezing or removing your own mask. Washing
with soap and water is important. Alcohol sanitizer can kill the influenza virus really fast, too. Always keep a
bottle in your satchel, car or pocket.
When to wear a surgical mask Even if you’re not a surgeon, you should wear a surgical mask in the following situations to
prevent spreading/getting the flu.
You’ve got a cough or sneeze
● If you are going out for a stroll
● If you’re going to a crowded place
●
How to Don a Mask
Keep the metal side up
Pointing down
Make sure the foldsare pointing down
on the outside.
The inside of the mask will have folds
pointing up.
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How to put on a mask
①
②
Confirm the proper direction
of the mask with the metal
part on top.
③
Put the loops around your
ears and press the metal part
around your nose to fit.
Hold the metal part and
pull the mask down to
cover the chin.
How to Remove a Mask
①
②
Don’t touch the mask.
Throw away by the bands
※Seal in a plastic bag
Or
※Throw away in a dust bin
with a cover.
Hold the bands and
remove from the ears.
After removing, wash your hands.
Your hands are contaminated once you handle a mask.
Always wash and sanitize/disinfect after removing your mask.
● Throw away your mask immediately after removing. Never reuse a mask!
● Masks are good at preventing the spread of droplets when coughing or sneezing
but cannot prevent breathing in viruses 100%.
● If you are sick, be a pal and wear a mask. It will help prevent the infection of your friends,
family and coworkers. Everybody will be glad you wore a mask.
● Alcohol is a speedy way to kill the influenza virus.
● If you are out and about and there isn’t any way to wash or sanitize your hands, play it safe!
Don’t touch potentially contaminated objects and keep your hands away from your eyes,
nose and mouth! Influenza cannot infect you through the skin.
It’s a respiratory infection. So keep your hands away from your face
until you can wash and sanitize your hands.
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Surgical face mask
Saraya Surgical Mask
Surgical masks help prevent the spread of the influenza virus.
Protect those around you with a mask.
No-Touch Hand Hygiene Dispenser
GUD-500-PHJ
The GUD-500 is a new compact model of automatic hand
hygiene. Contact your Saraya representative and tell them you
want one!
Food grade alcohol sanitizer
Clean.Pro Alcohol Sanitizer
Alcohol sanitizer is extremely effective on the influenza virus.
Always wash or sanitize your hands regularly if you are at risk
of getting the flu.
I hope everyone enjoyed this month’s installment of the Taira Times.
Let’s all make a New Year’s resolution to wear a surgical mask when we are sick.
Love,
Taira Sensei
See you next month!