THREE ITEMS ON NOSOCOMIAL MEASLES TRANSMISSION

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Botelho-Nevers E, Gautret P, Biellik R, Brouqui P.

Source POLMIT Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire, Université Aix-Marseille, 27 Boulevard Jean Moulin,  13005 Marseille, France.

Abstract below; full text available to Vaccine subscribers

Despite a decrease in global incidence, measles outbreaks continue to occur in developed countries as a result of suboptimal vaccine coverage. Currently, an important mode of measles transmission appears to be nosocomial, especially in countries where measles is largely under control. We therefore conducted a review of the literature by searching PubMed for the term "measles" plus either "nosocomial" or "hospital acquired" between 1997 (the date of the last review in the field) and 2011. The reports indicate that measles is being transmitted from patients to health care workers (HCWs) and from HCWs to patients and colleagues. Here, we explain how outbreaks of measles occurring in healthcare settings differ in some ways from cases of community transmission. We also highlight the need for all HCWs to be immunized against measles.

Eurosurveillance, Volume 16, Issue 2, 13 January 2011

E Botelho-Nevers1,2, N Cassir1,2, P Minodier3, R Laporte3, P Gautret1, S Badiaga4, DJ Thiberville1, L Ninove5, R Charrel5, P Brouqui ( )1

1.     Pôle de Maladies Infectieuses, IFR 48, Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Marseille, France

2.     These two authors contributed equally to this work

3.     Pôle mère-enfants, Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Marseille, France

4.     Pôle AUR, Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Marseille, France

5.     Laboratoire de virologie, IFR 48, Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Marseille, France

Full text is at http://www.eurosurveillance.org/ViewArticle.aspx?ArticleId=19764


Citation style for this article: Botelho-Nevers E, Cassir N, Minodier P, Laporte R, Gautret P, Badiaga S, Thiberville D, Ninove L, Charrel R, Brouqui P. Measles among healthcare workers: a potential for nosocomial outbreaks. Euro Surveill. 2011;16(2):pii=19764. Available online: http://www.eurosurveillance.org/ViewArticle.aspx?ArticleId=19764
Date of submission: 27 December 2010


We report here 14 cases of measles among healthcare workers (HCWs) in Public Hospitals of Marseilles, France that occurred between April and November 2010. All cases but one were under 30 years of age. Following the identification of these cases, we checked the immune status among 154 HCWs who volunteered to take part in the study and showed that 93% and 88% were immune against measles and mumps respectively. HCWs non-immunised against measles were all under 30 years of age.

 

This three part series appeared in French in 2006-2007; English abstracts are below.

Med Trop (Mars). 2006 Feb;66(1):91-6.

[Risk of nosocomial infection in intertropical Africa--part 1: background].

[Article in French]

Simon F, Demortiere E, Chadli M, Kraemer P, De Pina JJ.

Source

Service de pathologies infectieuses et tropicales, Hôpital d'Instruction des Armées Laveran, 13998 Marseille Armées. simon-f@wanadoo.fr

Abstract

Nosocomial infection is a risk in any health care setting. A review of recent medical literature shows that there is a paucity of information on nosocomial infection in intertropical Africa. Often misunderstood or denied, nosocomial infection is in reality an underestimated public health problem at most medical facilities even university hospital centers. However most hospitals are confronted with the same financial, structural and logistics difficulties, with limited training and awareness about hospital hygiene among caregivers, and with situations bringing together contagious infections with susceptible subjects. Assessment of the risks for patients and caregivers is a necessary prerequisite for implementing measures to control nosocomial infections in intertropical Africa.

Med Trop (Mars). 2007 Apr;67(2):197-203.

[Risk of nosocomial infection in intertropical Africa--part 2: patient infection].

[Article in French]

Simon F, Kraemer P, De Pina JJ, Demortière E, Rapp C.

Source

Service de pathologie infectieuse et tropicale, l'Hôpital d'instruction des armées Laveran, Marseilles Armées. simon-f@wanadoo.fr

Abstract

Patients admitted to hospitals in tropical Africa are at increased risk for nosocomial infection. However accurate description of this risk is difficult due to a lack of published data in the literature. The main promoting factors are poor health care facilities, high microbial levels in the hospital and community environment and generally uncertain health status. Most available information is about neonatal infection. The increasing number of reports involving multiresistant bacteria is evidence of poor hospital sanitation. Infections involving operative incision sites, tuberculosis and respiratory virus transmission are grossly underestimated. Infections transmitted by the parenteral route are probably decreasing due to more widespread use of disposal equipment and adequate transfusion safety measures. Epidemics involving viral hemorrhagic fever are rare but highly publicized events that attest to daily neglect of nosocomial risk factors in some health care facilities

 

Med Trop (Mars). 2007 Jun;67(3):291-300.

[Risk of nosocomial infection in intertropical Africa--part 3: health care workers].

[Article in French]

Rebaudet S, Kraemer P, Savini H, De Pina JJ, Rapp C, Demortiere F, Simon F.

Source

Service de pathologie infectieuse et tropicale, Hôpital d'instruction des armées Laveran, 13998 Marseille Armées.

Abstract

Parts of the nosocomial infections issue are the professionally-acquired infections of health care workers. This problem is widely neglected in sub-Saharan Africa, and little is known on the subject, in spite of the high prevalence of blood-borne infections such as HIV or hepatitis B and C, and air-borne diseases like tuberculosis. Besides, unsafe practices and accidents like blood exposures are more frequent than in western countries. This is due to the lack of political concern, of safer equipment and of specific teachings. Most of this severe infections' treatments are long, difficult or unavailable in Subsaharan Africa. The loss of contaminated health care workers can then become devastating for their family and the fragile health care structures of those developing countries. Finally, one should not underestimate the risk of infection transmission from health care provider to patient, like in several past outbreaks of Ebola hemorrhagic fever.



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