A serious outbreak of parainfluenza type 3 on a nursing unit.
OBJECTIVE
To report a serious outbreak of respiratory illness in a nursing home, with isolation of parainfluenza type 3 in four cases.


METHODS
Viral respiratory cultures from a sample of symptomatic residents, and retrospective chart review.


METHODS
A 50-bed nursing unit/floor in a skilled nursing facility.


METHODS
All residents of the nursing unit.


METHODS
Respiratory viral cultures and clinical chart review.


RESULTS
Twenty-five of 49 residents developed new respiratory symptoms between September 2 and September 25, 1999. Ten cases (40%) had a tympanic temperature of 100 degrees F or greater. Eighteen (72%) had a chest X-ray with 11 (44%) new infiltrates. Sixteen (64%) were treated with antibiotics. Three cases were hospitalized and four died (16%) within 1 to 9 days after onset of symptoms. Four of 10 viral cultures yielded parainfluenza type 3.


CONCLUSIONS
Parainfluenza type 3 may cause outbreaks complicated by pneumonia and fatal outcome. Clinicians should consider uniform secretion precautions to contain all viral URIs in nursing homes.
Todd Faulks
J
J
Wisconsin Veterans Home, King 54946-0620, USA.
Drinka
P J
PJ
Shult
P
P
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control; D008297:Male; D009735:Nursing Homes; D010224:Parainfluenza Virus 3, Human; D018184:Paramyxoviridae Infections / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy / Q000821:virology*; D011859:Radiography; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy / Q000821:virology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D014481:United States; D014493:United States Department of Veterans Affairs; D016635:Universal Precautions; D014922:Wisconsin / Q000453:epidemiology
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents