Outbreaks of influenza A and B in a highly immunized nursing home population

P J Drinka; S Gravenstein; P Krause; M Schilling; B A Miller; P Shult

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Outbreaks of influenza A and B in a highly immunized nursing home population

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Outbreaks of influenza A and B in a highly immunized nursing home population

P J Drinka, S Gravenstein, P Krause, M Schilling, B A Miller and P Shult

The Journal of family practice, Vol.45(6), pp.509-514

12/1997

PMID: 9420587

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Abstract

Large outbreaks of influenza A and B may occur in nursing homes despite high resident vaccination rates, even when the vaccine strain is matched to the circulating strain. This study reports the occurrence of separate influenza A and B outbreaks in a nursing home where more than 85% of residents were vaccinated. Prospective surveillance was used to identify symptomatic residents in a rural Wisconsin nursing home with 680 residents. Viral cultures were obtained from all consenting residents identified with new respiratory symptoms even in the absence of temperature elevation. A "case" refers to a resident with a respiratory illness and an influenza isolate. During the 1992-93 season, 86% of 670 total residents were vaccinated, 104 (15.5%) were cases with influenza B. During the 1993-94 season, 89% of 690 total residents were vaccinated, 68 (9.8%) were cases with influenza A. The antigenic matches between vaccine and epidemic strains were characterized as "identical or minimal difference" by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. There is still a need to protect residents from infectious secretions and for contingency plans to permit the rapid use of antiviral agents. Future efforts are needed to develop vaccines that provide greater protection and to improve staff vaccination rates.

Nursing Homes

Prospective Studies

Vaccination - utilization

Antiviral Agents - therapeutic use

Wisconsin - epidemiology

Humans

Rimantadine - therapeutic use

Influenza, Human - epidemiology

Male

Orthomyxoviridae

Influenza, Human - complications

Amantadine - therapeutic use

Disease Outbreaks

Aged, 80 and over

Female

Aged

Influenza Vaccines

Influenza, Human - prevention & control

Population Surveillance

Details

Title: Subtitle: Outbreaks of influenza A and B in a highly immunized nursing home population
Creators: P J Drinka - Wisconsin Veterans Home, USA
S Gravenstein
P Krause
M Schilling
B A Miller
P Shult
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: The Journal of family practice, Vol.45(6), pp.509-514
Publisher: United States
PMID: 9420587
ISSN: 0094-3509
eISSN: 1533-7294
Grant note: AG00548 / NIA NIH HHS AG09632 / NIA NIH HHS
Language: English
Date published: 12/1997
Academic Unit: Family and Community Medicine; Internal Medicine
Record Identifier: 9984025277802771

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33 Times Cited - Web of Science