A pertussis outbreak associated with social isolation among elderly nuns in a convent.
The pertussis incidence during an outbreak in a convent in The Netherlands in 1992 was higher among 75 retired (unvaccinated) nuns (60%) than among 24 staff members (8%) and was higher among 9 nuns with only a convent career (100%) than among 66 nuns who had a career outside of the convent (55%). The pertussis incidence increased with duration of social isolation but not with age.
Mertens
Paul L J M
PL
Department of Public Health, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. paul.mertens@planet.nl
Borsboom
Gerard J J M
GJ
Richardus
Jan Hendrik
JH
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002410:Catholicism; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D005260:Female; D006798:Housing; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands / Q000453:epidemiology; D012934:Social Isolation; D014917:Whooping Cough / Q000453:epidemiology*