Study sorts out MERS and SARS epi patterns

A side-by-side look at MERS-CoV and SARS infection patterns shows differences and some similarities, according to a study presented this week at the International Conference on Emerging and Infectious Diseases (ICEID) in Atlanta.

Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is infecting fewer people but has a higher mortality rate compared with severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), found the researchers, who are from Arizona State University.

The comparison also showed that middle-aged men (median age 50) who have multiple chronic health conditions are targets for MERS-CoV. Meanwhile, SARS doesn't seem to discriminate by gender and seems to infect both healthy people as well as those with underlying conditions.

However, both diseases spread quickly in hospitals and hospital workers, with healthcare workers making up 21% of cases for both MERS-CoV and SARS, according to the study findings. The research team based its findings on World Health Organization summary reports and cumulative reports for the 2003 SARS outbreak. The ICEID meeting is convened by the American Society for Microbiology (ASM).
Aug 24 ASM press release

RSV detected on neonatal intensive care unit surfaces

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) was detected on clothing and surfaces in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) during seasonal periods of high virus circulation, according to findings presented yesterday in Atlanta at the ongoing ICEID meeting.

RSV is the leading cause of hospitalization from respiratory illness among premature infants. The study, conducted in the NICU of the Royal Hospital for Women in Sidney, Australia, found that infants receiving intensive care may be at risk for RSV infection when community circulation of and hospital admissions for RSV are high.

The researchers found that 4% of swabs taken from NICU caregivers' and visitors' clothing were contaminated with RSV, and RSV was found on 9% of NICU high-touch surfaces, including bed rails and computers. The virus was not detected on the hands of healthcare workers or visitors.

Though the study was unable to determine whether the virus remained infectious on clothing or hard surfaces, investigators recommend frequent cleaning of high-touch surfaces in the NICU as well as screening visitors for RSV symptoms.
Aug 24 ICEID abstract
Aug 24 ASM press release

Influenza vaccine provides 6-month protection from respiratory illness

A study of non–active duty Department of Defense (DoD) beneficiaries found that the protection provided by influenza vaccination lasted up to 6 months, according to findings presented yesterday at the ICEID.

Researchers from the Naval Health Research Center, San Diego, Calif., conducted febrile respiratory illness surveillance of 1,720 DoD beneficiaries at three outpatient clinics in San Diego and Great Lakes, Ill., from 2010 to 2014.

Flu vaccination reduced the risk of a doctor visit by 50% to 70% over the course of a flu season. Protection against influenza lasted for 6 months following vaccination, suggesting that administering the flu vaccine in the fall may prevent a greater number of flu infections.

The study noted that flu vaccination provided little to no protection against influenza after 6 months, highlighting the importance of yearly vaccination.
Aug 24 ICEID abstract
Aug 24 ASM press release