Face mask that kills swine flu readied for Australian pandemic
With a four-fold increase in swine flu cases within the last week, Filligent, the Australian-led biotech company, is mobilising stocks of its anti-infective BioMask to help combat the spread of Influenza A (H1N1) across Australia.
The BioMask is the first medical face mask to kill the Influenza A virus within seconds of contact while retaining the breathability required by front-line workers and children, who are often the first to fall in a contagious episode. CEO Melissa Mowbray-d’Arbela says. “We’re allocating our resources to respond to Australia’s needs. The BioMask was designed specifically for situations like this.”
The TGA-registered BioMask is a Class I medical face mask that traps and kills 99.9% of bacteria and viruses on contact. It is a powerful weapon to contain the spread of Swine Flu, a strain of Influenza A.
By complying with the European Community’s Medical Devices Directive 93/42/EEC, Filligent has met the stringent EU requirements for design, efficacy and safety of its innovative, germ-killing BioMask.
According to pandemic experts, an effective face mask, like the germ-killing BioMask, could reduce the number of cases from one million to just six, in the first months of a pandemic. Containment is critical.
The Influenza A virus can stay alive on hands and surfaces for hours if not days. Human-to-human transfer also occurs by touching contaminated surfaces. The self-sanitising BioMask reduces the risk of cross-contamination by continuously killing germs. As it can remain germ-free after being touched, the BioMask is especially suitable for use by children, who tend to be both careless and fidgety when wearing a face mask.
Filligent designed the BioMask to withstand the rigours of pandemic logistics. Apart from being as affordable as standard masks, it is resistant to fungal contamination and extreme conditions, including humidity, heat or cold. It is flat-packed and can be surge manufactured. “We are working with Australian retailers and distributors to get the BioMask and our other anti-infective products out to people as soon as possible.”
