Impact of influenza A in a nursing home

Outbreaks of influenza A in the institutionalized elderly have been reported only rarely. Such an outbreak occurred in a nursing home in the period Dec 12, 1980, through Jan 21, 1981. Thirty (25%) of the 120 residents had onset of influenza-like illness during the outbreak. Influenza A/Bangkok/79-like (H3N2) virus was isolated from throat swab specimens from five of eight acutely ill patients. Thirteen persons were hospitalized; nine persons died (case-fatality ratio, 30%). This outbreak documents that mortality associated with an influenza outbreak can be substantial in a closed population of the elderly. Because nursing home residents are an easily accessible high-risk population, control and prevention of influenza should be a high priority in nursing homes.