Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-jkksz Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-23T03:28:50.016Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Outbreaks of Influenza A Among Nonvaccinated Healthcare Workers: Implications for Resource-Limited Settings

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2015

Anucha Apisarnthanarak ,
Pilaipan Puthavathana ,
Rungrueng Kitphati ,
Prasert Auewarakul  and
Linda M. Mundy
Anucha Apisarnthanarak*
Affiliation:
Division of Infectious Diseases, Thammasart University Hospital, Pratumthani, Thailand
Pilaipan Puthavathana
Affiliation:
Division of Microbiology, Siriraj Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand
Rungrueng Kitphati
Affiliation:
Department of Science, Thai National Institute of Health, Nonthaburi, Thailand
Prasert Auewarakul
Affiliation:
Division of Microbiology, Siriraj Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand
Linda M. Mundy
Affiliation:
St. Louis University School of Public Health, St. Louis, Missouri
*
Division of Infectious Diseases, Thammasart University Hospital, Pratumthani, Thailand12120 ([email protected])
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

We identified 3 outbreaks of influenza A (attack rates, 18%–24%) among Thai healthcare workers in intensive care units. All outbreaks were epidemiologically linked to an index patient with pneumonia due to influenza A virus (subtype H3N2). The investigations of these outbreaks incurred costs that exceeded the estimated costs of healthcare worker influenza vaccination by more than 10-fold.

Type
Concise Communication
Information
Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology , Volume 29 , Issue 8 , August 2008 , pp. 777 - 780
Copyright
Copyright © The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America 2008

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1.Nicholson, KG, Wood, JM, Zambon, M. Influenza. Lancet 2003;362:1733–1745.Google Scholar
2.Bradley, SF. Prevention of influenza in long-term-care facilities. Long-Term-Care Committee of the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 1999;20:629–637.Google Scholar
3.Scott, DJ, Kerr, G, Carman, WF. Nosocomial transmission of influenza. Occup Med 2002;52:249–253.Google Scholar
4.Apisarnthanarak, A, Puthavathana, P, Kitphati, R, et al.Avian influenza H5N1 screening of intensive care unit patients with community-acquired pneumonia. Emerg Infect Dis 2006;12:1766–1769.Google Scholar
5.Apisarnthanarak, A, Mundy, LM. Influenza outbreak among health care workers in an avian influenza (H5Nl)-endemic setting. Clin Infect Dis 2006;43:1493–1494.Google Scholar
6.Puzniak, LA, Gillespie, KN, Leet, T, Kollef, M, Mundy, LM. A cost-benefit analysis of gown use in controlling vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus transmission: is it worth the price? Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2004;25:418–424.Google Scholar
7.Apisarnthanarak, A, Puthavathana, P, Mundy, LM. Risk factors and outcomes of influenza A (H3N2) pneumonia in an area where avian influenza (H5N1) is endemic. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2007;28:479–482.Google Scholar
8.Cinti, S, Chenoweth, C, Monto, AS. Preparing for pandemic influenza: should hospitals stockpile oseltamivir? Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2005;26:852–854.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
9.Arden, NH. Control of influenza in the long-term-care facility: a review of established approaches and newer options. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2000;21:59–64.Google Scholar
10.Bridges, CB, Kuehnert, MJ, Hall, CB. Transmission of influenza: implications for control in health care settings. Clin Infect Dis 2003;37:1094–1101.Google Scholar
11.Berg, HF, Van Gendt, J, Rimmelzwaan, GF, Peeters, MF, Van Keulen, P. Nosocomial influenza infection among post-influenza-vaccinated patients with severe pulmonary diseases. J Infect 2003;46:129–1329.Google Scholar
12.Horcajada, JP, Pumarola, T, Martinez, JA, et al.A nosocomial outbreak of influenza during a period without influenza epidemic activity. Eur Respir J 2003;21:303–307.Google Scholar
13.Salgado, CD, Farr, BM, Hall, KK, Hayden, FG. Influenza in the acute hospital setting. Lancet Infect Dis 2002;2:145–155.Google Scholar
14.Lee, VJ, Phua, KH, Chenm, MI, et al.Economics of neuraminidase inhibitor stock piling for pandemic influenza, Singapore. Emerg Infect Dis 2006;12:95–102.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed