Laidback Al
Well-known member
INFLUENZA, NURSING HOME - AUSTRALIA (CANBERRA) (02)
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A ProMED-mail post
<http://www.promedmail.org>
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases <http://www.isid.org>
Date: Wed 22 Nov 2006
From: Matthew Mason <MATTHEW.MASON@BRHS.COM.AU>
Situation at the Jindalee Nursing home as of 16 Nov 2006
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[The following communication from Charles Guest, ACT deputy chief health officer, has been relayed to ProMED-mail by Matthew Mason. It overlaps with the proceeding posts (see below), but contains additional information identifying the infectious agent as influenza A virus serotype H1. - Mod.CP]
Further to the ProMED-mail post of 16 Nov 2006 entitled "Undiagnosed illness, nursing home - Australia (Canberra)(02): 20061115.3272," I would like to provide the following update and clarification.
The ACT [Australian Capital Territory] Health Protection Service is assisting with the management of a respiratory disease outbreak at an aged care facility [the Jindalee Nursing home, Canberra]. The outbreak appeared to commence on 10 Oct 2006.
Cumulative counts to date [16 Nov 2006] of persons affected by the respiratory disease are: 56 cases, including 7 staff members. Six deaths (among elderly, very debilitated residents) have occurred. Denominators: 141 residents; 150 staff.
The outbreak is probably due to an influenza A virus, but is unusual, as influenza typically occurs in the middle of the year in this region. For this reason, rigorous diagnostic testing will continue to be required of cases. PCR testing of nose/throat swabs has resulted in 6 positives out of 10 samples. An H1 subtype has been detected. Sequencing results are expected on 20 Nov 2006.
The facility reports good influenza vaccination coverage among residents (greater than 90 per cent) and vaccination rates among staff of about 55 per cent. Immunization against influenza will continue to be recommended for unvaccinated residents and staff at the facility, along with infection control and all other measures specified in the Guidelines for the Prevention and Control of Influenza Outbreaks in Residential Care Facilities (CDNA 2005).
Given the continuing nature of the outbreak, and the importance of preventing spread to other institutions, the prescription of antiviral therapy (oseltamivir/Tamiflu) for all residents and staff is under way as an additional preventive measure.
General practitioners in the ACT region and other doctors are being kept informed of developments.
--
Charles Guest
ACT Deputy Chief Health Officer
(via Matt Mason
Infection Control Nurse
Bairnsdale Regional Health Service
<MATTHEW.MASON@BRHS.COM.AU>)
[see also:
Influenza, nursing home - Australia (Canberra) 20061121.3314 Undiagnosed illness, nursing home - Australia (Canberra)(02) 20061115.3272 Undiagnosed illness, nursing home - Australia (Canberra): RFI 20061112.3249]
..................cp/msp/sh
***************************************************
A ProMED-mail post
<http://www.promedmail.org>
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases <http://www.isid.org>
Date: Wed 22 Nov 2006
From: Matthew Mason <MATTHEW.MASON@BRHS.COM.AU>
Situation at the Jindalee Nursing home as of 16 Nov 2006
--------------------------------------------------------
[The following communication from Charles Guest, ACT deputy chief health officer, has been relayed to ProMED-mail by Matthew Mason. It overlaps with the proceeding posts (see below), but contains additional information identifying the infectious agent as influenza A virus serotype H1. - Mod.CP]
Further to the ProMED-mail post of 16 Nov 2006 entitled "Undiagnosed illness, nursing home - Australia (Canberra)(02): 20061115.3272," I would like to provide the following update and clarification.
The ACT [Australian Capital Territory] Health Protection Service is assisting with the management of a respiratory disease outbreak at an aged care facility [the Jindalee Nursing home, Canberra]. The outbreak appeared to commence on 10 Oct 2006.
Cumulative counts to date [16 Nov 2006] of persons affected by the respiratory disease are: 56 cases, including 7 staff members. Six deaths (among elderly, very debilitated residents) have occurred. Denominators: 141 residents; 150 staff.
The outbreak is probably due to an influenza A virus, but is unusual, as influenza typically occurs in the middle of the year in this region. For this reason, rigorous diagnostic testing will continue to be required of cases. PCR testing of nose/throat swabs has resulted in 6 positives out of 10 samples. An H1 subtype has been detected. Sequencing results are expected on 20 Nov 2006.
The facility reports good influenza vaccination coverage among residents (greater than 90 per cent) and vaccination rates among staff of about 55 per cent. Immunization against influenza will continue to be recommended for unvaccinated residents and staff at the facility, along with infection control and all other measures specified in the Guidelines for the Prevention and Control of Influenza Outbreaks in Residential Care Facilities (CDNA 2005).
Given the continuing nature of the outbreak, and the importance of preventing spread to other institutions, the prescription of antiviral therapy (oseltamivir/Tamiflu) for all residents and staff is under way as an additional preventive measure.
General practitioners in the ACT region and other doctors are being kept informed of developments.
--
Charles Guest
ACT Deputy Chief Health Officer
(via Matt Mason
Infection Control Nurse
Bairnsdale Regional Health Service
<MATTHEW.MASON@BRHS.COM.AU>)
[see also:
Influenza, nursing home - Australia (Canberra) 20061121.3314 Undiagnosed illness, nursing home - Australia (Canberra)(02) 20061115.3272 Undiagnosed illness, nursing home - Australia (Canberra): RFI 20061112.3249]
..................cp/msp/sh