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Clinical Infectious Diseases
Transmission of Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 Influenza to Healthcare Personnel in the United States
1. Matthew E. Wise1,
2. Marie De Perio6,
3. John Halpin2,
4. Michael Jhung3,
5. Shelley Magill1,
6. Stephanie R. Black7,
7. Susan I. Gerber7,
8. Kathleen Harriman8,
9. Jon Rosenberg8,
10. Gwen Borlaug9,
11. Lyn Finelli3,
12. Sonja J. Olsen4,
13. David L. Swerdlow5, and
14. Alexander J. Kallen1
+ Author Affiliations
1.
1Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion
2.
2National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
3.
3Influenza Division
4.
4Division of Emerging Infections and Surveillance Services
5.
5National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Disease, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Atlanta, Georgia
6.
6National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, CDC, Cincinnati, Ohio
7.
7Chicago Department of Public Health, Chicago, Illinois
8.
8California Department of Public Health, Richmond, CA
9.
9Wisconsin Division of Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
1. Correspondence: Matthew Wise, MPH, Ph.D, Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion, CDC, 1600 Clifton Rd, MS A-35, Atlanta, GA 30333 (cxx4@cdc.gov).
Abstract
After identification of pandemic 2009 influenza (pH1N1) in the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) worked with state and local health officials to characterize infections among healthcare personnel (HCP). Detailed information, including likely routes of exposure, was reported for 70 HCP from 22 states. Thirty-five cases (50%) were classified as being infected in healthcare settings, 18 cases (26%) were considered to have been infected in community settings, and no definitive source was identified for 17 cases (24%). Of the 23 HCP infected by ill patients, only 20% reported using an N95 respirator or surgical mask during all encounters and more than half worked in outpatient clinics. In addition to community transmission, likely patient-to-HCP and HCP-to-HCP transmission were identified in healthcare settings, highlighting the need for comprehensive infection control strategies including administration of influenza vaccine, appropriate management of ill HCP, and adherence to infection control precautions.
Transmission of Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 Influenza to Healthcare Personnel in the United States
1. Matthew E. Wise1,
2. Marie De Perio6,
3. John Halpin2,
4. Michael Jhung3,
5. Shelley Magill1,
6. Stephanie R. Black7,
7. Susan I. Gerber7,
8. Kathleen Harriman8,
9. Jon Rosenberg8,
10. Gwen Borlaug9,
11. Lyn Finelli3,
12. Sonja J. Olsen4,
13. David L. Swerdlow5, and
14. Alexander J. Kallen1
+ Author Affiliations
1.
1Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion
2.
2National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
3.
3Influenza Division
4.
4Division of Emerging Infections and Surveillance Services
5.
5National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Disease, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Atlanta, Georgia
6.
6National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, CDC, Cincinnati, Ohio
7.
7Chicago Department of Public Health, Chicago, Illinois
8.
8California Department of Public Health, Richmond, CA
9.
9Wisconsin Division of Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
1. Correspondence: Matthew Wise, MPH, Ph.D, Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion, CDC, 1600 Clifton Rd, MS A-35, Atlanta, GA 30333 (cxx4@cdc.gov).
Abstract
After identification of pandemic 2009 influenza (pH1N1) in the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) worked with state and local health officials to characterize infections among healthcare personnel (HCP). Detailed information, including likely routes of exposure, was reported for 70 HCP from 22 states. Thirty-five cases (50%) were classified as being infected in healthcare settings, 18 cases (26%) were considered to have been infected in community settings, and no definitive source was identified for 17 cases (24%). Of the 23 HCP infected by ill patients, only 20% reported using an N95 respirator or surgical mask during all encounters and more than half worked in outpatient clinics. In addition to community transmission, likely patient-to-HCP and HCP-to-HCP transmission were identified in healthcare settings, highlighting the need for comprehensive infection control strategies including administration of influenza vaccine, appropriate management of ill HCP, and adherence to infection control precautions.
