Bird Flu Gloves

Bird flu gloves (also known as surgical gloves) are designed to help you avoid contact with harmful microorganisms. If a bird flu pandemic occurs, you should wear these disposable gloves whenever you care for people who are infected with the bird flu virus, and whenever you must use machines or equipment that may have been touched by people infected with the virus.

Why wear bird flu gloves?

Bird flu gloves are disposable gloves that will help protect you and your family from the bird flu virus in three ways:

1. Wearing gloves protects you from direct contact with any contaminated surfaces/equipment (ATM machines, door handles, steering wheels, etc) or body fluids when caring for a bird flu patient;

2. Gloves reduce the chances of spreading the bird flu virus to others, since they are discarded after use (make sure to have a special container for disposal of contaminated gloves and masks); and

3. Disposable gloves, when worn by the carer, will protect the sick person from any microorganisms that may be present on the carer’s hands (these must be discarded when leaving the sickroom).

Suppliers of Bird Flu Gloves

You can buy surgical gloves from pharmacies, medical suppliers and many sources on the Internet. Many supermarkets also stock boxes of disposable gloves (50 per box). During a pandemic, supplies of bird flu gloves may run low, so consider keeping a supply of them on hand.

Precautions when wearing Bird Flu Gloves

Wearing bird flu gloves is not a substitute for washing your hands. You must wash your hands thoroughly before and after wearing gloves. Click on the following link for information on a good handwashing routine.

Disposable gloves should be removed when the task is finished, by peeling the glove off from the wrist downward, so that the contaminated area is contained within the inside-out glove.

Immediately discard the contaminated gloves into a special container for contaminated materials or into a plastic bag. Tie the top of the plastic bag and discard.

Bird flu gloves should be changed when torn or punctured. Disposable gloves should not be washed or disinfected. Utility gloves can be washed in detergent after use, stored dry, and reused. Blue vinyl gloves, if available, should be worn when handling and preparing food.