Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-fbnjt Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-15T01:23:54.517Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Summer outbreak of respiratory disease in an Australian prison due to an influenza A/Fujian/411/2002(H3N2)-like virus

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  30 November 2004

L. C. YOUNG
Affiliation:
Justice Health, NSW Health, Matraville, NSW, Australia
D. E. DWYER
Affiliation:
Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology Laboratory Services, Institute of Clinical Pathology and Medical Research, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, NSW, Australia
M. HARRIS
Affiliation:
Justice Health, NSW Health, Matraville, NSW, Australia
Z. GUSE
Affiliation:
Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology Laboratory Services, Institute of Clinical Pathology and Medical Research, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, NSW, Australia
V. NOEL
Affiliation:
Justice Health, NSW Health, Matraville, NSW, Australia
M. H. LEVY
Affiliation:
Centre for Health Research in Criminal Justice, Matraville, NSW, Australia
Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Core share and HTML view are not available for this content. However, as you have access to this content, a full PDF is available via the ‘Save PDF’ action button.

An outbreak of influenza A occurred in a prison system in New South Wales, Australia in January 2003 during the southern hemisphere summer. This report documents only the third confirmed outbreak of influenza in a prison environment. The outbreak investigation included case ascertainment, state-wide surveillance, a case-control study and interventions to limit the outbreak such as infection control, quarantine, cohorting of cases, and the use of antiviral medication for prophylaxis. A total of 37 clinical cases were identified. Influenza A virus was detected in 11 of the 22 respiratory tract specimens collected. The virus was typed as an influenza A/Fujian/411/2002 (H3N2)-like virus. This strain subsequently became the predominant virus strain during the northern hemisphere winter and the following 2003 Australian southern hemisphere winter influenza season.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
2004 Cambridge University Press