Pharmaceutical fentanyl is a synthetic opioid pain reliever, approved for treating severe pain, typically advanced cancer pain.1 It is 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine. It is prescribed in the form of transdermal patches or lozenges and can be diverted for misuse and abuse in the United States. However, most recent cases of fentanyl-related…
DetailsBecause any suspected drug may contain powerful opioids such as Fentanyl, handling illicit substances in any capacity is inherently hazardous. Proper handling of suspected drug samples is essential to keeping yourself, your co-workers, your family members and the general public safe. https://www.fentanylsafety.com/safe-handling/
RISKS OF OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE TO SYNTHETIC OPIOIDS (E.G. FENTANYL) FOR FIRST RESPONDERS Fentanyl, Fentanyl analogues and other potent synthetic opioids and analgesics may be absorbed through the skin, allowing the drug to enter a person’s body without the typical illicit drug ingestion methods such as smoking, snorting, injection, etc. In addition, opioids may be inadvertently…
DetailsFentanyl and its analogs pose a potential hazard to law enforcement, public health workers, and first responders who could unknowingly come into contact with these drugs in their different forms. Police working dogs are also at risk of exposure. Possible exposure routes vary based on the source of the fentanyl. While dermal absorption of fentanyl…
DetailsRCMP released a video that highlights some of the dangers Fentanyl and other opioids pose to first responders and the public. Featuring real life stories of RCMP officers who came into contact with Fentanyl while on duty, it is a sober reminder that anyone can be affected by this drug without even using it. https://youtu.be/w48y6tzkpkg
The 2015-2016 influenza season began on August 30, 2015. As of November 14, 2015 there have been 31 confirmed cases of influenza in Canada (Influenza A = 26and Influenza B = 5). This total surpasses totals for the past 15 years (see chart below). The majority of cases in Canada so far this year have been due to…
DetailsEight Ontario farms quarantined after bird flu found on turkey farm HELEN BRANSWELL | TORONTO — The Canadian Press Authorities have placed eight poultry farms in Southwestern Ontario under quarantine as they scramble to contain an outbreak of a bird flu virus found on a turkey farm near Woodstock. The outbreak was discovered after birds on the turkey…
DetailsEbola: Controlling infection in health-care settings Health-care workers should always take standard precautions when caring for patients, regardless of their presumed diagnosis. These include basic hand hygiene, respiratory hygiene, use of personal protective equipment (to block splashes or other contact with infected materials), safe injection practices and safe burial practices. Health-care workers caring for patients…
DetailsThe right tool for fire departments to use to create infection control programs IN NOVEMBER, THE NEW YORK TIMES brought readers behind the scenes at the city’s Ebola monitoring center, run by the New York City health department. Dozens of staffers monitored traveler databases, looking for people who entered the city after trips to West Africa.…
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