Influenza B virus outbreak at a religious residential school for boys in Northern Bangladesh, 2011

Influenza Other Respir Viruses. 2017 Mar;11(2):165-169. doi: 10.1111/irv.12430. Epub 2016 Oct 5.

Abstract

Background: National media reported a febrile illness among dormitory residents of a boys' religious school. We investigated the outbreak to identify cause.

Methods: Individuals with fever (>100°F) and cough or sore throat between 1 and 13 August 2011 were influenza-like-illness (ILI) case-patients. We collected histories and specimens from hospitalized case-patients and visited campus to explore environmental context.

Results: All 28 case-patients were dormitory residents including 27 hospitalizations. Accommodation space per resident was <0.8 square metres. Nasal and oropharyngeal swabs from 22 case-patients were positive for influenza B virus using real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR).

Conclusions: Overcrowding likely facilitated transmission leading to this dormitory outbreak.

Keywords: Bangladesh; epidemic; influenza B virus; school dormitory.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Bangladesh / epidemiology
  • Disease Outbreaks* / statistics & numerical data
  • Epidemics
  • Hospitalization
  • Humans
  • Influenza B virus / isolation & purification*
  • Influenza, Human / diagnosis
  • Influenza, Human / epidemiology*
  • Influenza, Human / virology
  • Male
  • Religion
  • Schools*
  • Students*