Nosocomial outbreak of influenza virus A (H3N2) infection in a solid organ transplant department.

BACKGROUND: There is a strong body of evidence in favor of influenza virus immunization in solid organ recipients. However, little attention has been devoted to other reservoirs, such as the patients' relatives and, at the time of hospital admission, to the healthcare workers. METHODS: Analysis of the epidemiology of an outbreak of nosocomial influenza A in a solid organ transplant unit. RESULTS: Four cases of influenza A virus infection were reported during a short 4-day outbreak in a 12 single-room transplant unit. None of the patients had been immunized against influenza. Three patients had not been visited by their relatives between admission and influenza infection. Three nurses, among the 27 healthcare workers, presented with clinical flu symptoms at times consistent with nosocomial transmission. CONCLUSIONS: Because the prevention of influenza infection by vaccination warrants a global strategy to target the different reservoirs, we suggest that the modern policy of vaccinating solid organ patients should be extended both to their relatives and to the healthcare workers of transplant units.