title: Transmission of pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza to healthcare personnel in the United States.
abstract: After identification of pandemic 2009 influenza (pH1N1) in the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) worked with state and local health officials to characterize infections among healthcare personnel (HCP). Detailed information, including likely routes of exposure, was reported for 70 HCP from 22 states. Thirty-five cases (50%) were classified as being infected in healthcare settings, 18 cases (26%) were considered to have been infected in community settings, and no definitive source was identified for 17 cases (24%). Of the 23 HCP infected by ill patients, only 20% reported using an N95 respirator or surgical mask during all encounters and more than half worked in outpatient clinics. In addition to community transmission, likely patient-to-HCP and HCP-to-HCP transmission were identified in healthcare settings, highlighting the need for comprehensive infection control strategies including administration of influenza vaccine, appropriate management of ill HCP, and adherence to infection control precautions.
authors.affiliation: Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia 30333, USA.
authors.forename: Matthew E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Wise
authors.forename: Marie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: De Perio
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Halpin
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jhung
authors.forename: Shelley
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Magill
authors.forename: Stephanie R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Black
authors.forename: Susan I
authors.initials: SI
authors.lastname: Gerber
authors.forename: Kathleen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Harriman
authors.forename: Jon
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rosenberg
authors.forename: Gwen
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Borlaug
authors.forename: Lyn
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Finelli
authors.forename: Sonja J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Olsen
authors.forename: David L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Swerdlow
authors.forename: Alexander J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Kallen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017714:Community-Acquired Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission / Q000821:virology; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission / Q000821:virology; D018562:Disease Transmission, Infectious / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053118:Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission* / Q000821:virology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D058873:Pandemics; D012134:Respiratory Protective Devices / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult