Method of controlling the propagation of mrsa, staph and other infections that colonize in the nose

A method for controlling the spread of bacterial infections that colonize in the nose comprising:

• identifying a group of individuals who are carriers, or at risk of carrying, or becoming carriers of a bacteria that colonizes in the nose;
• providing a plurality of masks for covering the nose of a person, each mask comprising:
• an air filtering shield constructed and configured to cover the nose and mouth of a person allowing the person to breathe filtered air through the shield, and
• a retainer connected to the shield and arrangable about a person's head with the shield retained against the person's face,
• wherein a nose contacting portion of the shield physically contacts a person's nose, and said nose contacting person containing an effective amount of an antimicrobial agent capable of migrating from said nose contacting portion, into the person's nose, and effective to minimize or eradicate bacteria that colonize in the nose;
• and
• applying the plurality of strips to the noses of a plurality of individuals identified as the group who are carriers, or at risk of carrying, or becoming carriers of a bacterial infection that colonizes in the nose.

A method of reducing the spread of bacterial infections at a location or facility and/or associated with an activity comprising the steps of:

• classifying one or more individuals as targets for treatment,
• providing a plurality of masks capable of delivery of an antimicrobial agent from the mask to the nose,
• treating one or more individuals by causing the application of one or more of the plurality of masks to the noses/faces of the one or more individuals, and
• eradicating or partially eradicating a colony of bacteria contained within or located near the nose of the one or more individuals treated.