Showing papers on "Outbreak published in 1980"
TL;DR: A hospital outbreak of haemorrhagic fever took place in Dubai in November, 1979, and the index case died in the casualty department shortly after admission, and immediate barrier nursing prevented further secondary cases.
160 citations
TL;DR: It is suggested that respiratory syncytial virus may be an important respiratory pathogen for the elderly and chronically ill, causing illness similar to influenza.
Abstract: During a community outbreak of respiratory syncytial virus and influenza A/Texas/77 infections, we investigated 71 cases of upper respiratory illness at a chronic disease hospital using a ...
144 citations
TL;DR: Transmission of the epidemic strain from patients' skin to staff hands was demonstrated experimentally, and of 38 staff working in affected wards, 11 had positive hand cultures and two microbiologists investigating the outbreak also became hand carriers.
129 citations
TL;DR: Outbreaks of rubella that occur in hospitals with prenatal clinics are of special concern and testing of all employees for rubella antibody and immunization of those determined to be seronegative should be considered.
Abstract: An outbreak of 47 cases of rubella occurred among hospital personnel in a large medical-surgical hospital. As a result, one pregnancy was terminated and 475 employee workdays were lost. Epidemiologic investigation of the outbreak suggested a common source; a dietary worker was identified as the probable index case. Serum samples of 12 per cent of women employees were negative for rubella antibody at the time of the outbreak. Neither a history of rubella nor a history of immunization with rubella vaccine was reliable in the prediction of the presence or absence of immunity. Two thirds of all hospital personnel were immunized through a voluntary mass-immunization program, but the response of physicians to the program was disappointing. Outbreaks of rubella that occur in hospitals with prenatal clinics are of special concern. Testing of all employees for rubella antibody and immunization of those determined to be seronegative should be considered. (N Engl J Med. 1980; 303:541–5.)
94 citations
TL;DR: It is tentatively suggested that the outbreak became extensive and rather severe because of lowered immunity against rotavirus infection among the elderly.
Abstract: 92 cases of acute gastroenteritis were registered among 256 individuals during an outbreak in a nursing home for the elderly, the majority of patients being between 70 and 90 years of age Most cases appeared in 4 of the 8 wards; 66% of the inmates of these wards became ill Characteristic symptoms were initial nausea and vomiting followed by diarrhoea and low fever A number of patients were severely ill One patient died Rotavirus infection was diagnosed by virus detection and/or antibody titre rise during the acute phase of the illness in 13 of 16 patients examined At the end of the outbreak, high titres of complement-fixing antibodies against rotavirus (⩾64) were detected in serum from 21/22 patients convalescing from the disease, as compared to only 5/45 individuals with no signs of disease It is tentatively suggested that the outbreak became extensive and rather severe because of lowered immunity against rotavirus infection among the elderly
88 citations
87 citations
TL;DR: It is proposed that the term turkey coryza be used to describe the disease initiated by A. faecalis that was observed in the experimentally infected birds, which was milder than in 4 naturally infected flocks that also had complicating Escherichia coli infections.
Abstract: Experiments were initiated to study the pathogenicity of 5 Alcaligenes faecalis isolates in specific-pathogen-free poults. The isolates were recovered from commercial flocks suffering from a respiratory disease. There were no differences between cultural or biochemical characteristics of the isolates, but differences in antibiotic sensitivity were detected. All 5 isolates were capable of initiating a respiratory disease in poults similar to that seen in the early stages of turkey coryza. The infection, clinical signs, and lesions were limited to the upper part of the respiratory tract, but there were substantial differences in the severity of disease initiated by different isolates. There were also differences in the persistence of infection in the host. Secondary infections in the tracheas and sinuses were higher in poults infected with A. faecalis. The disease observed in the experimentally infected birds was milder than in 4 naturally infected flocks that also had complicating Escherichia coli infections. There was no evidence of infection with infectious bursal disease virus in 4 naturally occurring outbreaks in Ohio. It is proposed that the term turkey coryza be used to describe the disease initiated by A. faecalis.
83 citations
TL;DR: Campylobacter jejuni was isolated from the stools of 148 patients with symptoms and 57 symptomless subjects, and from a milk sock filter, following an outbreak of enteritis associated with consumption of unpasteurized milk.
Abstract: Campylobacter jejuni was isolated from the stools of 148 patients with symptoms and 57 symptomless subjects, and from a milk sock filter, following an outbreak of enteritis associated with consumption of unpasteurized milk. The incubation period ranged from 2-11 days with a peak at 5 days. There were no secondary cases. The attack rate was around 50%. Cases occurred in all age groups but were maximal in the 1-10 age group. Recovery from symptoms was complete in the majority in less than 1 week. No long term excretors were identified. There were no differences between culture positive individuals, with or without symptoms, in age or sex distribution or duration of excretion.
80 citations
TL;DR: A marked reduction in both clinical and subclinical giardiasis was apparent two months after onset of the outbreak, apparently as a result of measures applied to interrupt waterborne transmission of Giardia.
Abstract: A communitywide outbreak of gastrointestinal illness due to Giardia lamblia infection occurred in the city of Berlin, New Hampshire, during April and May 1977. The clinical, epidemiologic, and laboratory aspects of this outbreak are described here. In 213 predominantly symptomatic cases of G. lamblia infection diagnosed at a local hospital laboratory in a 6-week period, illness was characterized by prolonged diarrhea (median duration 10 days) and 13% of symptomatic infections required hospitalization. Treatment with either quinacrine or metronidazole was generally followed by symptomatic improvement. A communitywide survey of the city residents revealed that the majority (76%) of G. lamblia infections occurring during the epidemic period were asymptomatic and ran a self-limited course without treatment. No significant secondary, person-to-person spread occurred and no enteric pathogens other than G. lamblia were implicated. Water was epidemiologically implicated as the most likely source of infection with Giardia cysts being demonstrated in samples of treated water as well as raw source water. Evidence supported the occurrence of two simultaneous outbreaks in this city which is supplied by two largely independent water supply systems. Inspection of the two water treatment facilities revealed several defects which permitted untreated (raw) water to mix with treated water. Human or beaver could have been responsible for contaminating source water with Giardia in this outbreak. A marked reduction in both clinical and subclinical giardiasis was apparent two months after onset of the outbreak, apparently as a result of measures applied to interrupt waterborne transmission of Giardia.
79 citations
78 citations
TL;DR: An outbreak of rotavirus infection in elderly patients in a long-stay ward of a geriatric hospital is described, highlighting the need for electron microscopy to be used in the initial investigation of outbreaks of diarrhoea in all age groups.
Abstract: An outbreak of rotavirus infection in elderly patients in a long-stay ward of a geriatric hospital is described. Virus was detected in 7/15 (47%) symptomatic individuals. Four members of staff were among those affected. The findings emphasise the need for electron microscopy to be used in the initial investigation of outbreaks of diarrhoea in all age groups.
TL;DR: This outbreak emphasizes the continuing public health importance of YF in West Africa and points out the need for inclusion of 17D YF vaccination in future programs of multiple immunication.
Abstract: An epidemic of yellow fever (YF) occurred in the Gambia between May 1978 and January 1979. Retrospective case-finding methods and active surveillance led to the identification of 271 clinically suspected cases. A confirmatory or presumptive laboratory diagnosis was established in 94 cases. The earliest serologically documented case occurred in June 1978, at the extreme east of the Gambia. Small numbers of cases occurred in August and September. The epidemic peaked in October, and cases continued to occur at a diminishing rate through January, when a mass vaccination campaign was completed. The outbreak was largely confined to the eastern half of the country (MacCarthy Island and Upper River Divisions). In nine survey villages in this area (total population 1,531) the attack rate was 2.6--4.4%, with a mortality rate of 0.8%, and a case fatality rate of 19.4%. If these villages are representative of the total affected region, there may have been as many as 8,400 cases and 1,600 deaths during the outbreak. The disease incidence was highest in the 0- to 9-year age group (6.7%) and decreased with advancing age to 1.7% in persons over 40 years. Overall, 32.6% of survey village inhabitants had YF complement-fixing (CF) antibodies. The prevalence of antibody patterns indicating primary YF infection decreased with age, in concert with disease incidence. The overall inapparent:apparent infection ratio was 12:1. In persons with serological responses indicating flaviviral superinfection, the inapparent:apparent infection ratio was 10 times higher than in persons with primary YF infection. Sylvatic vectors of YF virus, principally Aedes furcifer-taylori and Ae. luteocephalus are believed to have been responsible for transmission, at least at the beginning of the outbreak. Eighty-four percent of wild monkeys shot in January 1979 had YF neutralizing antibodies, and 32% had CF antibodies. Domestic Aedes aegypti were absent or present at very low indices in many severely affected villages (see companion paper). In January, however, aegypti-borne YF 2.5 months into the dry season was documented by isolation of YF virus from a sick man and from this vector species in the absence of sylvatic vectors. Thus, in villages where the classical urban vector was abundant, interhuman transmission by Ae. aegypti occurred and continued into the dry season. A mass vaccination campaign, begun in December, was completed on 25 January, with over 95% coverage of the Gambian population. A seroconversion rate of 93% was determined in a group of vaccinees. This outbreak emphasizes the continuing public health importance of YF in West Africa and points out the need for inclusion of 17D YF vaccination in future programs of multiple immunication.
TL;DR: In the period June 6--July 24, 1977, and outbreak of illness due to adenovirus type 3 (AV3) occurred in residents of a suburban community (Community A), Dekalb County, Georgia, at least 105 cases occurred.
Abstract: In the period June 6--July 24, 1977, and outbreak of illness due to adenovirus type 3 (AV3) occurred in residents of a suburban community (Community A), Dekalb County, Georgia. Based on surveys, at least 105 cases occurred. The illness was primarily characterized by sore throat, fever, headache, and anorexia. Conjunctivitis affected only 34 of 105 (32%) of the individuals in two surveys. Frequent use of a private swimming pool was associated with illness in Community A residents. The outbreak coincided with a temporary defect in the pool filtration system which probably prevented maintenance of proper chlorine levels in the pool water, and suggested that the infection was spread by pool water. However, the predominant mode of transmission could not be shown conclusively to be waterborn rather than person-to-person.
TL;DR: An outbreak of ataxia and paralysis on a Thoroughbred studfarm is reported and the cause of the disease was attributed to equid herpesvirus (EHV1) infection which stemmed from a single 10-month abortion on the studfarm.
Abstract: An outbreak of ataxia and paralysis on a Thoroughbred studfarm is reported. The cause of the disease was attributed to equid herpesvirus (EHV1) infection which stemmed from a single 10-month abortion on the studfarm. Stallions, mares and foals were all affected but the most serious clinical signs occurred in the mares. there were 35 out of 39 mares, 2 out of 4 stallions and 5 out of 39 foals which exhibited signs of ataxia. Nine mares became recumbent and died or were euthanased. Treatment with betamethasone and antibiotics was given. The outbreak was contained to one area of the stud apart from secondary spread to 2 in-contact mares on different premises.
TL;DR: In September 1978, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) investigated an outbreak of Legionnaires' disease among persons who had attended the national Veterans of Foreign Wars convention.
Abstract: Excerpt In September 1978, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) investigated an outbreak of Legionnaires' disease among persons who had attended the national Veterans of Foreign Wars convention hel...
TL;DR: By means of a stepwise regression analysis, an estimate was made of the number of deaths and new sickness benefit claims associated with influenza in the winters of 1976--79 and the effect of winter temperatures on mortality in the cold winter of 1978--79.
TL;DR: Serological typing was used as an epidemiological tool in the investigation of 524 outbreakes of Clostridium perfringens food poisoning in the United Kingdom and 37 outbreaks in other countries.
Abstract: Serological typing was used as an epidemiological tool in the investigation of 524 outbreaks of Clostridium perfringens food poisoning in the United Kingdom and 37 outbreaks in other countries. Five thousand five hundred and fifty-four (77%) of 7245 strains of C. perfringens associated with the 561 outbreaks were typable with the 75 Food Hygiene Laboratory antisera; in 354 (63%) of these outbreaks a specific serotype was established as being responsible for the outbreak. An assessment is made of the ability of two additional sets of antisera, prepared against 34 American and 34 Japanese strains of C. perfringens, to increase the number of strains which can be typed. The extent of cross-reaction between the three sets of antisera was determined and the results are discussed in relation to the source and history of the type strains.
TL;DR: An outbreak of varicella-zoster infection occurred among patients of the Medicine Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, occurring in patients who were immunodeficient because of disease, debility, and chemotherapy.
Abstract: An outbreak of varicella-zoster infection occurred among patients of the Medicine Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health. Epidemiologic investigation suggested th...
TL;DR: This outbreak of bacteremic pneumococcal pneumonia is compared with endemic disease caused by other serotypes observed at Boston City Hospital during the same period and with previous studies of epidemic pneumococCal disease.
Abstract: A striking increase in blood culture isolates ofStreptococcus pneumoniaecapsular type 1 was noted at Boston City Hospital in early 1978. The increased incidence of type 1 pneumococcal bacteremia was due, at least in part, to an outbreak of disease among alcoholic, male clients of Boston's largest shelter. Residents of the shelter also were found to have a high rate of nose and throat carriage of type 1 pneumococci. This outbreak of bacteremic pneumococcal pneumonia is compared with endemic disease caused by other serotypes observed at Boston City Hospital during the same period and with previous studies of epidemic pneumococcal disease. Routine serotyping of pneumococcal isolates is important, especially in light of the emergence of pneumococci resistant to multiple antibiotics and of the renewed use of polysaccharide vaccines. (JAMA244:1446-1449, 1980)
TL;DR: Serologic studies 15 years later with the complement fixation test and the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay provided serologic evidence that this outbreak was caused by the human rotavirus that was first isolated in 1973.
Abstract: In the spring of 1964, 3,439 cases of acute gastroenteritis were reported from Truk District, an island group in the mid-Pacific. The causative agent was not identified in laboratory studies performed in that year. Retrospective serologic studies 15 years later with the complement fixation test and the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay provided serologic evidence that this outbreak was caused by the human rotavirus that was first isolated in 1973.
TL;DR: The findings indicate that adults, over 60 years of age in particular, may be susceptible to rotavirus when exposed in confined communities.
TL;DR: An outbreak of amikacin-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (KES) occurred in the Intensive Care Nursery of the Louisville General Hospital from January 1978 through March 1978 and three of the 11 neonates died.
Abstract: An outbreak of amikacin-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (KES) occurred in the Intensive Care Nursery (ICN) of the Louisville General Hospital from January 1978 through March 1978. Epidemic disease and an increased colonization rate in newborn infants due to amikacin-resistant microorganisms has not been documented previously. Three of the 11 neonates died. The organisms isolated were resistant to amikacin and two experimental aminoglycosides, sissomicin and netilmicin. The outbreak was contained following institution of several control measures, including pharyngeal inoculation of an experimental strain of alpha streptococcus in four infants.
TL;DR: Reports of outbreaks of food- and waterborne disease in Canada and the United States were searched for data on the number of cases of illness initially reported to health and food protection agencies, and the estimates of all cases of human salmonellosis were 150,000 and 740,000, respectively, annually.
TL;DR: The extent and rapid spread of this outbreak suggested that only immunoprophylaxis or rapidly acting control measures such as chemoprophYLaxis would be effective in this institutional setting with a highly susceptible population.
Abstract: An extensive outbreak of influenza caused by A/USSR/77 (H1N1) virus occurred in February, 1978, at the University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, and the outbreak was studied by virus isolation, serology, clinical questionnaire and outpatient chart review. Among students who returned questionnaires, clinical attack rates were extraordinarily high (73.2% of those less than or equal to 23 years of age and 45.7% for those greater than 23 years (p less than 0.001)), and rates were higher in students who lived on campus (p less than 0.05). Employing the criterion of hemagglutination inhibition titer greater than or equal to 16, 89.8% of those less than or equal to 23 years of age had evidence of infection by March, 1978. Illness was generally mild, and no complications were reported. The extent and rapid spread of this outbreak suggested that only immunoprophylaxis or rapidly acting control measures such as chemoprophylaxis would be effective in this institutional setting with a highly susceptible population.
TL;DR: Information about new outbreaks of streptococcal meningitis in pigs has been collected since the disease was first recognised in the United Kingdom in late 1973.
Abstract: Information about new outbreaks of streptococcal meningitis in pigs has been collected since the disease was first recognised in the United Kingdom in late 1973. The apparent spread of the disease across the country is illustrated. Factors affecting the age distribution of the disease and the dissemination of the infection are also discussed.
TL;DR: It is speculated that a prolongation of the rainy season during 1976--1978 was important in the origin of the outbreak of yellow fever in the Gambia, and the relationship of this epidemic to the established focus of sylvatic YF in southeastern Senegal is discussed.
Abstract: An entomological survey was conducted in the Gambia in January 1979, during the last phase of a yellow fever (YF) outbreak which began during the previous rainy season. In the dry conditions which prevailed in January, Aedes aegypti was the only YF vector present. Two YF virus strains were isolated from females of this mosquito species caught in a village of western Gambia, where active human cases were documented. The ae. aegypti breeding sites were exclusively of the domestic type. Larval indices varied greatly from place to place, but generally appeared to correlate with the incidence of disease. A better understanding of the conditions that prevailed at the onset and during the early phase of the epidemic will require further entomological investigations. Nevertheless, it appears probable that initial transmission as by sylvatic vectors such as the Ae. furcifer-taylori group and possibly others such as Ae. luteocephalus, Ae. metallicus, and Ae. vittatus. As the outbreak progressed, interhuman transmission by Ae. aegypti also occurred, and this mixed epidemiological pattern later gave way to transmission by Ae. aegypti only when sylvatic vector populations declined in the dry season. We speculate that a prolongation of the rainy season during 1976--1978 was important in the origin of the outbreak. The relationship of this epidemic to the established focus of sylvatic YF in southeastern Senegal is discussed. The Gambian outbreak is considered the result of a recent northwesterly extension of the YF Emergence Zone.