Health Management in Social Welfare Facilities during an Epidemic of New Type Influenza

Abstract

  We undertake health management in three social welfare facilities for inpatients with mental development disorders. We performed a questionnaire survey on infection countermeasures among the employees of these facilities, held lectures on infection based on the results of this questionnaire survey of the employees, and prepared a manual on conduct during a new type influenza epidemic. If new type influenza occurs among family members, employees do not come to work for 3 days. Prior consultation was held on treatment of cases of influenza, and the indication for oral oseltamivir prevention for persons in close contact with patients was confirmed beforehand. A test using the influenza diagnosis kit was performed, and early treatment was started after diagnosis. Patients with fever and any others in the same room were transferred to private rooms. Oseltamivir oral prevention was given to individuals in close contact with patients with diagnoses of influenza. The results indicated that even with oseltamivir oral prevention, influenza occurred in five to 11 people in each outbreak, except in one case. The basic reproduction rate was higher for people living together who did not take sufficient measures against infection. Therefore, oseltamivir oral prevention should be given to all people in the same dormitory if influenza is detected in even one person, and preparations should be undertaken by obtaining consent from the families beforehand. On the assumption that new type influenza will occur in the facilities, consent of the families of people using the facilities can be obtained, and the attending physicians can investigate the indications for oseltamivir oral prevention. Consequently, preventive medication can be started sooner and spread of infection in the facilities can be suppressed.