Hyderabad: Distribution of disposable masks as a preventive measure against swine flu has picked up in the city. Mr Syed Afzal from Karwan area and his friends distributed over 2,000 masks among bus conductors, traffic police and roadside vendors at Mehdipatnam Rythu bazaar on Thursday.

“We wanted to bring awareness among people and we will keep this program on at public places such as airport, bus stations, railway stations and hospitals,” said Mr Afzal.

United for Justice, a group of engineering students and graduates meanwhile took up a donation drive near Charminar. “We have distributed around 4000 masks to people working in and around Charminar till now and plan to continue,” said member Mr Mohammad Ayub.

Although experts opined that the disposable masks would not offer complete protection against the infection, they agree it might serve as a preventive measure. As swine flu spreads on contact, a mask might be able to protect to a certain extent, they opined.

Dr H. Kishan, general physician from Apollo, said, “They can be effective to an extent. The N95 surgical masks have smaller pores than the ordinary masks and are definitely more effective in terms of acting as a barrier for respiratory droplets, but the ordinary masks will serve the purpose to an extent too.”

The N95 is a surgical mask, mostly used by medical health professionals and can cost anywhere between Rs 100 to Rs 300, whereas a disposable mask costs around Rs 10.

On the possibility of getting infected by reusing a disposable mask, DR Kishan said, “If people are working indoors or staying in a closed environment, a disposable mask can be reused. But if you spend a lot of time outside and in public spaces, the mask should be disposed.”