WASHINGTON (AP) -- Two leading makers of respiratory masks say they are ramping up production as reports of swine flu surged to nearly 100 people in 10 states across the U.S.
3M and Kimberly Clark both say they are increasing manufacturing to keep pace with orders from pharmacies like Rite-Aid Corp. and CVS, which are reporting heavy sales of the masks.
A 3M spokeswoman says the company has added shifts and manufacturing lines to meet demand.
The masks, known as N95 respirators, are designed to filter out tiny particles that might contain bacteria or viruses.