Successful management of human parainfluenza virus-3 outbreak in a tertiary neonatal intensive care unit

To describe the role of infection control measures in controlling human parainfluenza virus type 3 (HPIV-3) outbreaks in the neonatal intensive care unit of a tertiary military hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

This single center, retrospective study collected clinical and diagnostic data from date to date. We collected nasopharyngeal swabs from symptomatic patients and processed using multiplex real-time polymerase chain reaction assays to detect HPIV-3.

The HPIV-3 outbreak occurred between December 2022 and January 2023, and affected 22 patients (mean age: 13 months), among whom 18 had underlying chronic medical conditions. Most patients (n=18) presented with lower respiratory tract infections, 16 of whom required oxygen therapy. Almost all cases improved clinically except for one baby who died of holoprosencephaly. Among the symptomatic healthcare workers (n=21), only one nurse tested positive for HPIV-3. Early screening for HPIV-3, proper cohorting under isolation precautions, and the restriction of admissions and visitors, along with additional infection control measures, have been progressively implemented during the outbreak period.

Strict implementation of infection control approaches can contribute to limiting the spread of HPIV-3.