Infection control and hospital epidemiology : the official journal of the Society of Hospital Epidemiologists of America
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Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol · May 2011
Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza in hospitalized children in Manitoba: nosocomial transmission and lessons learned from the first wave.
To review the experiences at Winnipeg Children's Hospital (WCH) during the 2009 influenza season, with an emphasis on nosocomial transmission and infection prevention and control responses. ⋯ Infection with pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza virus resulted in a substantial number of hospitalizations of pediatric patients in Manitoba, including those with nosocomial cases, thereby stressing the capacity of WCH. Immediate therapy with oseltamivir on admission to the hospital resulted in a significantly reduced length of hospitalization. This, coupled with intensified infection prevention and control practices, halted nosocomial transmission. These strategies should be considered in future pandemic influenza or other respiratory viral outbreaks.