Prompt control of an imported carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumanii outbreak in a French intensive care unit

Objective: to describe the management and control of a limited outbreak of carbapenemresistant Acinetobacter baumanii (CRAB) outbreak in a French intensive care unit. Methods: Careful review of the contact's and carrier's files and outbreak management procedures. Results: An undiagnosed CRAB carrier was admitted to our intensive care unit after medical evacuation from Turkey. Despite preventive isolation and contact precautions, a secondary case was diagnosed 5 days after admission of the index case and resulted in the creation of a crisis unit. Prompt management included an epidemiologic investigation with contact screening and follow-up, environmental screening, and additional restrictive measures: isolation room, closure of adjacent rooms, patient cohorting with designated nurses, and reinforcement of contact precautions. Conclusions: restrictive management of CRAB outbreaks may allow prompt outbreak control and avoid prolonged room closures.