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Concurrent outbreaks of influenza and parvovirus B19 in a boys' boarding school

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 May 2009

E. A. Grilli ,
M. J. Anderson  and
T. W. Hoskins
E. A. Grilli
Affiliation:
Influenza Research Unit, Public Health Laboratory, St Luke's Hospital, Guildford GU1 3NT
M. J. Anderson
Affiliation:
Department of Medical Microbiology, University College and Middlesex School of Medicine, London WC1E 6JJ
T. W. Hoskins
Affiliation:
The Infirmary, Christ's Hospital, Horsham RH13 7LT
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Summary

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In the spring term of 1985 there was a protracted outbreak of upper respiratory tract febrile illness consistent with a clinical diagnosis of influenza in a boys' boarding school, which lasted from 23 January to 29 March. Although influenza virus infection was confirmed in 89% of cases in the first half of the term, 53% of the cases which occurred in the second half of the term had no evidence of infection with influenza virus. Between 5 February and 31 March 28 boys presented with skin rashes consistent with a clinical diagnosis of erythema infectiosum; 68% of these were associated with parvovirus B19. Investigation of the cases of clinical influenza with no identified respiratory pathogen revealed a 58% infection rate with B19. B19 DNA was identified in either throat swabs or acute stage bloods of nine pupils with influenza-like symptoms.

Cohort studies revealed that 44% of pupils aged 15–16 years were immune before the outbreak compared with only 17% of pupils aged 11–12 years. Infection in the younger group was common and was associated with influenzalike illnesses as well as rashes. Forty-eight per cent of those who did not report any symptoms were also infected with B19.

Type
Research Article
Information
Epidemiology & Infection , Volume 103 , Issue 2 , October 1989 , pp. 359 - 369
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1989

References

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