Journal
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL VIROLOGY
Volume 50, Issue 3, Pages 235-239Publisher
ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV
DOI: 10.1016/j.jcv.2010.11.012
Keywords
2009 pandemic H1N1; Influenza; Outbreak; Serological analysis
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Funding
- Ministry of Science and Technology of the People's Republic of China [2009ZX10004-306, 2009ZX10004-213]
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Background: A large number of 2009 pandemic influenza A (H1N1) infections were localized in school populations. Objectives: To describe the epidemiology, clinical features and risk factors associated with an outbreak that occurred at a vocational boarding school in Guangzhou, P. R. China. Study design: Data were collected prospectively and retrospectively through the use of on-site doctors and a post-outbreak survey and blood collection. The survey was used to confirm symptoms, and to investigate a series of flu-related factors such as dormitory conditions, health habits, vaccine history and population contact history. Blood samples were taken for serological analysis. Pandemic H1N1 infection was initially confirmed by a real-time RT-PCR assay. Following the identification of the outbreak by the Guangzhou CDC on September 4, cases were diagnosed symptomatically and retrospectively by serological analysis using the hemagglutination inhibition assay and a neutralization assay. Results: The infection rate was 32% (505/1570) and the attack rate was 22.2% (349/1570). The asymptomatic infection rate was 9.9% (156/1570). Sharing a classroom (OR = 2.17, 95% CI: 1.62-2.91) and dormitory space (OR = 2.32, 95% CI: 1.84-2.93) was associated with higher rates of infection. Opening windows for ventilation was the only control measure that significantly protected against infection. Conclusion: Social isolation and quarantine should be used to prevent the spread of infection. Ventilation and a control of air flow between classrooms and dorms should be implemented as possible. School closures may be effective if implemented early. (C) 2010 Published by Elsevier B.V.
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