tetano
Editor, Senior Moderator
Influenza Other Respir Viruses
. 2023 May;17(5):e13151.
doi: 10.1111/irv.13151. Risk factors for infection with influenza A(H3N2) virus on a US university campus, October-November 2021
Nathaniel M Lewis[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Miranda J Delahoy[SUP] 1 2 [/SUP], Kelsey M Sumner[SUP] 1 2 [/SUP], Adam S Lauring[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Emily E Bendall[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Lindsey Mortenson[SUP] 4 [/SUP], Elizabeth Edwards[SUP] 4 [/SUP], Aleksandra Stamper[SUP] 4 [/SUP], Brendan Flannery[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Emily T Martin[SUP] 5 [/SUP]
Affiliations
Background: Knowledge of the specific dynamics of influenza introduction and spread in university settings is limited.
Methods: Persons with acute respiratory illness symptoms received influenza testing by molecular assay during October 6-November 23, 2022. Viral sequencing and phylogenetic analysis were conducted on nasal swab samples from case-patients. Case-control analysis of a voluntary survey of persons tested was used to identify factors associated with influenza; logistic regression was conducted to calculate odds ratios and 95% CIs. A subset of case-patients tested during the first month of the outbreak was interviewed to identify sources of introduction and early spread.
Results: Among 3268 persons tested, 788 (24.1%) tested positive for influenza; 744 (22.8%) were included in the survey analysis. All 380 sequenced specimens were influenza A (H3N2) virus clade 3C.2a1b.2a.2, suggesting rapid transmission. Influenza (OR [95% CI]) was associated with indoor congregate dining (1.43 [1.002-2.03]), attending large gatherings indoors (1.83 [1.26-2.66]) or outdoors (2.33 [1.64-3.31]), and varied by residence type (apartment with ≥1 roommate: 2.93 [1.21-7.11], residence hall room alone: 4.18 [1.31-13.31], or with roommate: 6.09 [2.46-15.06], or fraternity/sorority house: 15.13 [4.30-53.21], all compared with single-dwelling apartment). Odds of influenza were lower among persons who left campus for ≥1 day during the week before their influenza test (0.49 [0.32-0.75]). Almost all early cases reported attending large events.
Conclusions: Congregate living and activity settings on university campuses can lead to rapid spread of influenza following introduction. Isolating following a positive influenza test or administering antiviral medications to exposed persons may help mitigate outbreaks.
Keywords: congregate settings; influenza; respiratory infections; respiratory viruses; risk factors; student health.
. 2023 May;17(5):e13151.
doi: 10.1111/irv.13151. Risk factors for infection with influenza A(H3N2) virus on a US university campus, October-November 2021
Nathaniel M Lewis[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Miranda J Delahoy[SUP] 1 2 [/SUP], Kelsey M Sumner[SUP] 1 2 [/SUP], Adam S Lauring[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Emily E Bendall[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Lindsey Mortenson[SUP] 4 [/SUP], Elizabeth Edwards[SUP] 4 [/SUP], Aleksandra Stamper[SUP] 4 [/SUP], Brendan Flannery[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Emily T Martin[SUP] 5 [/SUP]
Affiliations
- PMID: 37246148
- PMCID: PMC10209643
- DOI: 10.1111/irv.13151
Background: Knowledge of the specific dynamics of influenza introduction and spread in university settings is limited.
Methods: Persons with acute respiratory illness symptoms received influenza testing by molecular assay during October 6-November 23, 2022. Viral sequencing and phylogenetic analysis were conducted on nasal swab samples from case-patients. Case-control analysis of a voluntary survey of persons tested was used to identify factors associated with influenza; logistic regression was conducted to calculate odds ratios and 95% CIs. A subset of case-patients tested during the first month of the outbreak was interviewed to identify sources of introduction and early spread.
Results: Among 3268 persons tested, 788 (24.1%) tested positive for influenza; 744 (22.8%) were included in the survey analysis. All 380 sequenced specimens were influenza A (H3N2) virus clade 3C.2a1b.2a.2, suggesting rapid transmission. Influenza (OR [95% CI]) was associated with indoor congregate dining (1.43 [1.002-2.03]), attending large gatherings indoors (1.83 [1.26-2.66]) or outdoors (2.33 [1.64-3.31]), and varied by residence type (apartment with ≥1 roommate: 2.93 [1.21-7.11], residence hall room alone: 4.18 [1.31-13.31], or with roommate: 6.09 [2.46-15.06], or fraternity/sorority house: 15.13 [4.30-53.21], all compared with single-dwelling apartment). Odds of influenza were lower among persons who left campus for ≥1 day during the week before their influenza test (0.49 [0.32-0.75]). Almost all early cases reported attending large events.
Conclusions: Congregate living and activity settings on university campuses can lead to rapid spread of influenza following introduction. Isolating following a positive influenza test or administering antiviral medications to exposed persons may help mitigate outbreaks.
Keywords: congregate settings; influenza; respiratory infections; respiratory viruses; risk factors; student health.