1203. Epidemiology of Respiratory Viruses in Influenza-Vaccinated Healthcare Workers During an H1N1-Dominant Season

Abstract

BackgroundRespiratory pathogens are an important cause of morbidity and mortality in hospitalized patients and nosocomial spread of such pathogens is known to occur. However, little is known about the epidemiology of respiratory viruses in healthcare workers (HCW).MethodsBetween December 28, 2018 and April 26, 2019 enrolled HCW completed a weekly symptom diary, including presence or absence of respiratory symptoms, flu exposure history and whether they received medical attention. Vaccination and flu infection history were collected on enrollment. Participants self-collected flocked nasopharyngeal (NP) swabs every other week and if they reported any symptom on the weekly diary. These were tested using a multiplex PCR platform (Biofire, Salt Lake City, UT) with targets for 14 respiratory viruses. Symptomatic HCW with influenza or respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) were notified and followed policy regarding work restriction.Results66 HCWs provided baseline data and 57 continued data submission (9 withdrew). The active participants included 13 nurses (22.8%), 7 advanced practice providers (12.3%), 18 physicians (31.6%), and 19 other (33.3%). Participants received quadrivalent inactivated flu vaccine this season (2 self-reported/unknown type). Compliance was 89.8% (749 of 834) with weekly diary completion and 83.3% (378/454) for biweekly NP swabs. Thirty-nine unique participants reported symptoms on weekly diaries 100 times and submitted 88 total “symptomatic” NP swabs (88% compliance). Of these, 16 swabs revealed any pathogen (18.2%) and 3 had influenza H3N2 (18.8%) (only one reported fever). Other pathogens identified are detailed in Figure 1. 12 of the 366 asymptomatic swabs were positive for respiratory viruses (23.3%, see Figure 1). No participant had asymptomatic influenza.ConclusionPauci-symptomatic influenza has been previously described by our group and others and is noted even in this small cohort. While asymptomatic flu was not found, there were several cases of other asymptomatic respiratory viruses in HCW. Analysis of the impact on patients is still underway from this cohort but the initial data suggest that patients are at risk of contracting healthcare-acquired respiratory infection even from health care providers. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures,