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Article

A Novel Influenza A (H1N1) Outbreak Experience among Residents of a Long Term-Care Facility in Saudi Arabia during 2010 Seasonal Flu Circulation

1
Preventive Medicine Department, Al-Hada and Taif Armed Forces Hospitals, Taif, Saudi Arabia
2
Department of Tropical Health, High Institute of Public Health, University of Alexandria, Egypt
3
Preventive Medicine Department, Prince Mansour Hospital, Taif, Saudi Arabia
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Infect. Dis. Rep. 2012, 4(1), e23; https://doi.org/10.4081/idr.2012.e23
Submission received: 16 November 2011 / Revised: 29 December 2011 / Accepted: 8 January 2012 / Published: 13 March 2012

Abstract

The aim of this work was to describe and analyze an outbreak of novel 2009 influenza A (H1N1) among residents of a long-term care facility (LTCF) in Prince Mansour Military Hospital (PMMH), Taif, Saudi Arabia. These patients had been admitted to the LTCF months or years before the outbreak for several reasons, e.g. cerebral palsy, neurological deficits due to road traffic accidents with resultant handicap, chronic diseases associated with old age. An observational study was carried out to demonstrate and analyze the epidemiological characteristics (demographic factors, risk factors, and outcomes) associated with the outbreak in order to clarify which prevention and control measures had been taken and which recommendations were followed. During the period October 28 to November 11 2010, 21 LTCF residents were suspected to be clinically involved: fever ≥38ºC with influenza-like illness (ILI). Age ranged from 9-91 years (mean 46±24.13); 62% were males. Among them, 12 (57%) were influenza A (H1N1) positive by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RTPCR). Mortality involved 2 (17%) of the A (H1N1) laboratory confirmed individuals. Implementation of the recommended infection control measures mitigated the transmission of infection to new individuals. The fulfillment of strict infection control measures could limit H1N1 infection among LTCFPMMH patients. Routine influenza, including specific H1N1 immunization of all LTCF residents together with their healthcare staff, should be mandatory in those settings serving immunocompromised patients.
Keywords: Influenza A (H1N1); long term-care; outbreak; Saudi Arabia Influenza A (H1N1); long term-care; outbreak; Saudi Arabia

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MDPI and ACS Style

Afifi, R.M.; Omar, S.; El Raggal, A. A Novel Influenza A (H1N1) Outbreak Experience among Residents of a Long Term-Care Facility in Saudi Arabia during 2010 Seasonal Flu Circulation. Infect. Dis. Rep. 2012, 4, e23. https://doi.org/10.4081/idr.2012.e23

AMA Style

Afifi RM, Omar S, El Raggal A. A Novel Influenza A (H1N1) Outbreak Experience among Residents of a Long Term-Care Facility in Saudi Arabia during 2010 Seasonal Flu Circulation. Infectious Disease Reports. 2012; 4(1):e23. https://doi.org/10.4081/idr.2012.e23

Chicago/Turabian Style

Afifi, Raouf M., Sherif Omar, and Ahmed El Raggal. 2012. "A Novel Influenza A (H1N1) Outbreak Experience among Residents of a Long Term-Care Facility in Saudi Arabia during 2010 Seasonal Flu Circulation" Infectious Disease Reports 4, no. 1: e23. https://doi.org/10.4081/idr.2012.e23

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