Cypriots scramble for masks before going abroad.

Byline: Daniel Thomas

PHARMACIES across the island have noted a marked increase in the sale of surgical masks, antiseptic gels and antibacterial wipes as Cypriots take increased precautions in their attempts to avoid catching H1N1 virus when travelling abroad.

Masks that had been gathering dust on the shelves of pharmacies for years have suddenly found willing and enthusiastic owners, while antiseptic and antibacterial ointments and wipes normally reserved for the niche markets of the notably health conscious have found their way onto Average Andreas and Mainstream Maria's travel checklist.

Despite the fact that roughly half a million people die every year due to complications arising from the common flu, the combination of intense media coverage coupled with intrepid announcements by governments has created a heightened sense of hygienic vulnerability.

While in Cyprus there have still not been any significant reports of people wearing masks in public, in other countries in Europe, such as the UK, the universally distinguishable sign of a society in hygiene panic has become a common feature on high streets and public transportation across the country.

This attitude seems to be gathering momentum in Cyprus, with pharmacies noting an increasing amount of customers purchasing products that are meant to assist in providing the basic recommendations for personal hygiene outlined by health officials.

Margarita Proestou, who owns a pharmacy in Nicosia, told the Cyprus Mail that she had noted "a definite increase in the sale of masks and antiseptic gels", while also confirming that most of her customers choosing to purchase the items were preparing to go abroad and considered the purchase of the items logical due to the current circumstances of the global pandemic.

Another pharmacist, Giorgos Charalambides, also confirmed the increase in sales, however was not convinced that wearing a mask was the most effective measure to take in avoiding infection.

"If everyone goes around buying masks, we will all just end up looking silly. Simply wearing a mask isn't going to do much, what people need to really do is focus on continuing the upkeep of well-known everyday hygiene measures such as washing hands regularly, and covering your mouth if you cough or sneezeC* keeping the body's immune system healthy is of course another obvious measure to take."

Asked about whether he had noticed a corresponding increase in the sales of vitamins, which provide the necessary fuel for immune systems, his answer was negative.

Thelios Theofilou of the Cyprus Pharmacists' Union, confirmed the increase in sales, and said that up until this point, there had not been any reports of significant shortages of masks.

However, he was unable to speculate whether this would become a problem in the future as the holiday season progressed and more and more Cypriots left the country for vacations in parts of the world where there have been significant outbreaks of the flu: "This is an issue that involves the private importers of the products and the individual pharmacies filing their orders."

Commenting on the effectiveness of wearing masks as a deterrent to the virus, Theofilou said "we don't have the numbers to indicate how much these interventions actually help". However, he was adamant that the use of antibacterial creams, as with the washing of hands, was an effective way to mitigate the transmission of bacteria.

Petros Petrides, Vice President of the Cyprus Government Doctor's Union echoed this view, saying that the mass purchase of masks was not necessary, but was a perfectly viable option for anyone wishing to take extra steps at protecting themselves. "As a first step, using antiseptic gels and increasing hygienic maintenance is a good method in avoiding contraction of any virus."

In the meantime, a meeting at Limassol Port between officials from the Hygiene Services, the Health Ministry, tour operators and port authorities took place yesterday, with the aim of establishing an organised protocol to follow in the event that a passenger arrives carrying the virus.

Port Manager Christos Matsis told members of the press following the meeting that "there has not yet been any reports of flu-carriers at the port until now", and that the purpose of the meeting was "so that we are organised to confront any cases when they appear and so that all the involved parties are properly informed as to how to detect symptoms."

He added that it has already happened in Piraeus in Greece, it "could very well be our port tomorrow, in which case we won't be found unprepared."

Referring to the details of the proposed 'protocol', Matsis said that "it takes a lot into account, but primarily entails informing the authorities before a ship (carrying passengers suspected of having the virus) docks, and will determine in what cases do the passengers remain on the ship and when it will be necessary for them to be taken ashore for further medical treatment."

It has also been suggested that the finalised protocol will include extra measures to be taken in monitoring the inflow of passengers. However, Matsis was clear that the plans would not overstretch the reality of available resources, saying "we are looking at the situation practically, judging what can actually be implemented and I believe we are on the right track".

Copyright Cyprus Mail 2009

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