# Personal protective equipment

> Equipment worn to limit exposure to an infectious agent. Includes filtering masks (FFP2/N95), gloves, gowns and goggles. FFP2 filters at least 94% of particles under EN 149.

Canonical source: https://hantatracker.fr/en/glossary/ppe/

**Aliases**: PPE, FFP2, N95, FFP2 mask

**Personal protective equipment** (PPE, or EPI for *équipement de protection individuelle* in French) refers to any device worn by a person to limit their exposure to an infectious or dangerous agent. In the context of hantavirus disease, the main piece of PPE is the half-mask filtering respirator of the **FFP2** type (European standard) or **N95** (US standard), supplemented as needed by disposable gloves, a gown and protective eyewear.

## Categories and standards

### Filtering masks

Respiratory protection against infectious aerosols is provided by filtering masks. The European standard **EN 149:2001+A1:2009** defines three classes: FFP1 (≥ 80% filtration), **FFP2** (≥ 94%), FFP3 (≥ 99%). In the United States, the **NIOSH 42 CFR Part 84** standard defines the N95 (≥ 95%), N99 and N100 classes. For protection against viral aerosols such as those that may carry hantavirus, FFP2 or N95 is the minimum recommended equipment.

### Test methods

Efficiency is measured against **0.3 µm** particles, the most penetrating size. The European EN 149 standard is more stringent than the US standard in that it tests efficiency against both oily (paraffin oil) and non-oily (sodium chloride) particles, whereas the NIOSH standard tests only non-oily particles. In practice, both standards guarantee comparable protection.

### Other equipment

Additional equipment used in public health includes: **disposable nitrile gloves** for handling contaminated surfaces, **single-use waterproof gowns** for direct care of a case, **goggles** or a face shield for eye protection, and **shoe covers** in some hospital settings.

## Use in the hantavirus context

### For the general public

The CDC recommends wearing an FFP2/N95 filtering mask, disposable gloves and ensuring good ventilation when cleaning any area that may be contaminated by rodent droppings: cellars, attics, outbuildings, unused cabins. Dry sweeping and vacuuming should be avoided as they suspend particles in the air. A diluted bleach solution (1:9) should be sprayed before any wet cleaning.

### For healthcare workers

When caring for a suspected or confirmed case of hantavirus disease, particularly Andes virus (which is human-to-human transmissible), WHO/ECDC recommendations include: FFP2/N95 mask, single-use waterproof gown, disposable gloves, goggles or face shield, and rigorous hand hygiene. This equipment is required for any direct care activity, and especially in confined environments.

### For MV Hondius passengers

The use of FFP2 masks during disembarkation in Tenerife (Granadilla de Abona) and on repatriation flights follows a maximum precaution approach. Although Andes virus is not considered to be a widely airborne agent, prolonged exposure to symptomatic people justifies respiratory protection in confined spaces (planes, buses, medical waiting rooms).

## Limitations

No PPE is 100% effective. Effective protection depends on fit quality (a poorly worn mask lets through 50% or more of particles), duration of use (masks lose efficiency after several hours) and strict compliance with the removal procedure. Respiratory protection complements — does not replace — other measures: ventilation, distancing, hand hygiene and active medical surveillance.