An outbreak of novel influenza A (H1N1) in the English Language Institute.
OBJECTIVE
This report describes the results of an investigation on an outbreak of novel influenza A (H1N1) in an English language Institute in Seoul, Korea in May 2009.


METHODS
In this outbreak, novel influenza A (H1N1) was confirmed in 22 of 91 trainees, trainers and staff members. The trainees and 2 staff members were isolated in an assigned facility and the rest were isolated in their homes after we discovered the first patient with novel influenza A (H1N1). After the isolation, the people in the assigned facility were educated to use N95 respirators and they received oseltamivir for prophylaxis.


RESULTS
The initial findings in this study suggest that the symptoms were mild and similar to those of seasonal influenza. The classmates and roommates of the infected patients were more likely to get infected with novel influenza A (H1N1) than the trainees who were not classmates or roommates of the patients (OR: 3.19, 95% CI=0.91 - 11.11 for classmates and OR: 40.0, 95% CI=7.4-215.7 for roommates).


CONCLUSIONS
The public health response seems successful in terms of preventing the spread of this virus into the local community.
Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Seoul, Korea.
Joon Hyung
JH
Kim
Han Sung
HS
Lee
Hye Kyung
HK
Park
Jin Seok
JS
Kim
Sang Won
SW
Lee
Seong Sun
SS
Kim
Jong Koo
JK
Lee
D000328:Adult; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D006801:Humans; D053118:Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D056910:Republic of Korea / Q000453:epidemiology; D012574:Schools; D055815:Young Adult