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Published on: July 24, 2016
An echovirus type 18 outbreak in a neonatal intensive care unit
Koichi Kusuhara1, Mitsumasa Saito, Yuka Sasaki
1Department of Pediatrics, Kyushu University Hospital, Fukuoka, Japan. kkusuhar@pediatr.med.kyushu-u.ac.jp
European Journal of Pediatrics
|June 27, 2007
Summary
An echovirus type 18 outbreak infected 20 neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) patients. Infection control measures, including separation care, successfully prevented further echovirus transmission in the NICU.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Virology
- Neonatal Care
Background:
- Neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) are vulnerable settings for infectious disease outbreaks.
- Echoviruses are a common cause of viral infections in neonates, potentially leading to severe illness.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe an outbreak of echovirus type 18 in a NICU.
- To present findings from virological investigations during the outbreak.
- To evaluate the effectiveness of implemented infection control measures.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of patient data during the outbreak.
- Real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for viral detection.
- Implementation and assessment of infection control protocols, including patient separation.
Main Results:
- Twenty neonatal intensive care unit patients were involved in the echovirus type 18 outbreak.
- RT-PCR confirmed widespread echovirus transmission among NICU patients.
- Implemented infection control measures, including separation care, were effective in curbing virus spread.
Conclusions:
- Echovirus type 18 can cause significant outbreaks in NICU settings.
- Prompt implementation of enhanced infection control strategies is crucial for managing viral outbreaks in neonates.
- Separation care and rigorous hygiene protocols are effective in preventing further transmission.
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