Consecutive yearly outbreaks of respiratory syncytial virus in a haemato-oncology ward and efficacy of infection control measures

Abstract

There was significant learning from both outbreaks and actions implemented with the aim of reducing the likelihood and impact of future outbreaks.

Molecular characteristics and successful management of a respiratory syncytial virus outbreak among pediatric patients with hemato-oncological disease

“…We re-emphasized this issue in training sessions for the HCWs. Although staff screening is described in literature [15], we were able to terminate this outbreak without staff screening. A cohort of HCWs to take care of solely RSV-positive patients as reported before [9] had also not been established but would have been another option in case of an ongoing outbreak.…”

“…We therefore focused on patient to patient transmission early during the outbreak by strict isolation precautions for RSV infected patients and contacts. Isolation for infected patients was also a key measure in a multimodal control bundle described by Inkster et al [15]. Contact patients were isolated for 8 days and repeatedly tested in order to disrupt infection chains as described in literature [11].…”

“…Nevertheless, hospital (nosocomial) acquisition is possible as well and transmission may occur by other infected patients, staff or visitors [11,12]. RSV outbreaks in inpatient pediatric oncologic care facilities and in adult hematology and oncology units have been described [9,[12][13][14][15][16]]. An understanding of transmission pathways helps to guide adequate outbreak control measures and to implement prophylactic measures.…”

Transmission of Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus in the Immunocompromised Ferret Model

“…In the absence of an effective vaccine, HRSV treatment options are largely limited to supportive care and expensive monoclonal antibody or antiviral therapy [ 7 , 8 ]. Infection control measures, including isolation of cases, high standards of hand hygiene, cohort nursing, and use of personal protective equipment have been reported as relatively effective in the prevention and control of HRSV outbreaks in nosocomial settings [ 5 , 9 , 10 ]. The prophylaxis use of monoclonal antibody therapy also can reduce nosocomial transmission [ 11 ].…”

Influenza and respiratory syncytial virus screening for the detection of asymptomatically infected patients in hematology and oncology

“…Both community and nosocomial acquisition of influenza and RSV are possible in this patient group. Nosocomial outbreaks in oncologic care facilities have been described [ 8 ], [ 9 ] in spite of multiple infection control measures to prevent nosocomial transmission. These measures include stringent hand hygiene, patient isolation, and use of barrier precautions such as surgical masks or vaccination (influenza) [ 5 ], [ 10 ], [ 11 ], [ 12 ].…”