Rapid Response to Summer Influenza Epidemic in a Leprosy Sanatorium

Abstract

  A former leprosy patient was diagnosed positive for influenza B virus by using a rapid influenza virus test kit in a ward of our hospital. Seven further patients in the ward were quarantined during the following 4 days based on the presentation with similar clinical symptoms including high fever, sore throat, cough, and diarrhea. However, all 7 patients were found to be negative for influenza viru with the same kit. An emergency session of the Infection Control Committee was held to discuss and decide counter-measures to prevent further spread of the infection within the sanatorium including quarantine of affected patients, closure of the dining room in the ward, wider distribution of protective equipment, closure of the physical training room, and frequent update announcements about the situation in the sanatorium. Oseltamivir phosphate was prescribed for all 8 patients including those not found positive for the influenza virus. The exact route of infection by which the virus was brought into the sanatorium could not be identified. However, we believe that the rapid and comprehensive responses to the incident probably prevented epidemic spread.