Though there is little scientific evidence to go on, wearing a surgical face mask may make sense for people who have to go into crowded public places during an influenza pandemic, federal health officials said today.

Furthermore, people who care for a pandemic flu patient at home or have other close contact with sick people in a pandemic should consider wearing an N-95 respirator, a more elaborate type of mask designed to stop virus-sized particles, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advised.

CDC officials said avoiding crowded conditions and infected people are the most important precautions in a pandemic, but masks and respirators may provide additional protection. Standard precautions such as hand hygiene and social distancing should also be used, officials said.