Socioeconomic, environmental and behavioral factors, as well as international travel and migration, foster and increase the spread of communicable diseases. Vaccine-preventable, foodborne, zoonotic, health care-related and communicable diseases pose significant threats to human health and may sometimes threaten international health security.

To reduce the transmission of communicable diseases such as the novel COVID-19 from potentially asymptomatic or presymptomatic people, the ECDC recommends the use of face masks.
The use of face masks in the community may primarily serve as a means of source control. This measure can be particularly relevant in epidemic situations when the number of asymptomatic but infectious persons in the community can be assumed to be high. Wearing a face mask could be considered, especially when visiting busy, closed spaces, such as grocery stores, shopping centers, etc.; when using public transport; and for certain workplaces and professions that involve physical proximity to many other people (such as members of the police force, cashiers – if not behind a glass partition, etc.) and when teleworking is not possible.
The single use of a mask does not obstruct the disease; the improper use of the mask actually increases the risk of spreading infection. In the WHO’s advice on the use of masks in the context of communicable disease interim guidance, the prioritized use of medical masks by health personnel is emphasized.

The W-shaped face mask is designed to make it easy to remove for storage and minimizing contact with the internal part. This is aimed at protecting the person from disease causing agents that maybe trapped in the inside part of the mask. Hence, preventing spread of the diseases through making contact with other people.