Occupational distribution of persons with confirmed 2009 H1N1 influenza.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the distribution of illness by industry sector and occupation reflected in early 2009 H1N1 influenza surveillance.


METHODS
We analyzed data reported for April to July 2009, for 1361 laboratory-confirmed 2009 H1N1 influenza-infected persons 16 years or older, with work status information from four states. A North American Industry Classification System 2007 code was assigned to each employed person. For a subset, an occupation code was assigned.


RESULTS
Of 898 employed individuals, 611 (68.0%) worked in the non-health care sector. The largest proportions worked in public administration, educational services, and accommodation and food services. In Wisconsin health care personnel, 53.6% were paraprofessionals, 33.6% professionals, and 12.7% other workers; 26.9% worked in ambulatory settings, 46.2% in hospitals, and 26.9% in nursing or residential care facilities.


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings suggest that industry sectors and occupations should be explored systematically in future influenza surveillance.
Division of Respiratory Disease Studies, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Morgantown, WV 26505, USA. ESuarthana@cdc.gov
Eva
E
Suarthana
J D
JD
McFadden
A S
AS
Laney
K
K
Kreiss
H A
HA
Anderson
D C
DC
Hunt
D
D
Neises
K
K
Goodin
A
A
Thomas
M
M
Vandermeer
E
E
Storey
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D004651:Employment / Q000145:classification; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007221:Industry / Q000145:classification; D053118:Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011159:Population Surveillance; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult