Surgical Masks for Protection of Health Care Personnel against Pandemic Novel Swine-Origin Influenza A (H1N1)-2009: Results from an Observational Study

There is ongoing debate about the efficacy of surgical masks versus N95 respirators for protection against pandemic novel swine-origin influenza A (H1N1)-2009. Our hospital, which is designated to manage outbreaks of emerging infection, has robust surveillance systems to detect infection in staff. The incidence of pandemic H1N1-2009 remained low in staff with use of surgical masks.