Abstract
The A(H1N1)pdm09 influenza virus is a highly contagious pathogen which caused the 2009 influenza pandemic. The virus is known to affect mainly younger people and may be a problem in crowded living conditions. The aim of the study was to describe a major A(H1N1)pdm09 outbreak in a Swiss military boot camp and to develop suggestions for similar future situations. Retrospective chart analysis of a A(H1N1)pdm09 outbreak between 14 December and 23 December 2010. Symptoms, signs and lab parameters were documented. 105 of 750 male recruits were affected by the outbreak. All nasopharyngeal swabs of 16 patients with high fever were tested positive. Common clinical symptoms included high fever, myalgia and bronchitis with persistent cough and throat aches. Fever progression typically occurred in two peaks within three days. Median length of stay at the infirmary was 3 days (range: 0.5-9 days). A(H1N1)pdm09 has become a ubiquitous seasonal virus in the region. Complications were uncommon and non life threatening. In the event of new influenza outbreaks, hygienic and containment measures must be quickly and correctly implemented, in order to avoid an epidemic. This should also be considered in non-military settings like school camps or in retirement homes.
Highlights
A(H1N1)pdm09 is a highly contagious pathogen which made headlines in 2009, as the so called swine flu, by causing a worldwide influenza pandemic
During the pandemic of 2009, data from the American Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) showed, that the A(H1N1)pdm09 strain differed from seasonal influenza in that it mostly infected individuals younger than 65 years old. 90% of A(H1N1)pdm09 related hospitalisations and 87% of estimated deaths occurred in patients younger than 65 years, compared to 40% of hospitalisations and 10% of deaths related to seasonal influenza in the same age group [6]
We report the onset and dynamics of an A(H1N1)pdm09 outbreak, which occurred in December 2010 in four Swiss military barracks in Herisau and Gossau, Switzerland, affecting more than 100 recruits
Summary
A(H1N1)pdm is a highly contagious pathogen which made headlines in 2009, as the so called swine flu, by causing a worldwide influenza pandemic. During the pandemic of 2009, data from the American Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) showed, that the A(H1N1)pdm strain differed from seasonal influenza in that it mostly infected individuals younger than 65 years old. 90% of A(H1N1)pdm related hospitalisations and 87% of estimated deaths occurred in patients younger than 65 years, compared to 40% of hospitalisations and 10% of deaths related to seasonal influenza in the same age group [6]. We report the onset and dynamics of an A(H1N1)pdm outbreak, which occurred in December 2010 in four Swiss military barracks in Herisau and Gossau, Switzerland, affecting more than 100 recruits. In the influenza season 2010/11, the A(H1N1)pdm strain came back as a “seasonal” strain and the outbreak we describe here was the first noticed in the 2010/11 season in Switzerland
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