Dataset Information
Outbreak investigation in a COVID-19 designated hospital: The combination of phylogenetic analysis and field epidemiology study suggesting airborne transmission.
Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT: Background
Healthcare-associated COVID-19 infections caused by SARS-CoV-2 have increased morbidity and mortality. Hospitals and skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) have been challenged by infection control and management.Methods
This case study presents an outbreak investigation in a COVID-19-designated hospital and a hospital-based SNF. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and other studies were performed on samples obtained from SNF residents, hospital patients, and healthcare workers (HCWs). The results of the laboratory tests and field epidemiological data were analyzed. Genome sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of SARS-CoV-2 were performed to identify the associations between cases. The tracer gas was released and recorded by a thermal imaging camera to investigate the spatial relations within clusters.Results
During the outbreak, 29 COVID-19 infections in 3 clusters were identified through hospital-wide, risk-guided, and symptom-driven PCR tests. This included 12 HCWs, 5 patients, and 12 SNF residents who had been hospitalized for at least 14 days. Serology tests did not identify any cases among the PCR-negative individuals. The phylogenetic analysis revealed that viral strains from the 3 clusters shared a common mutation of G3994T and were phylogenetically related, which suggested that this outbreak had a common source rather than multiple introductions from the community. Linked cases exhibited vertical spatial distribution, and the sulfur hexafluoride release test confirmed a potential airborne transmission.Conclusions
This report addressed the advantage of a multi-disciplinary team in outbreak investigation. Identifying an airborne transmission within an outbreak highlighted the importance of regular maintenance of ventilation systems.
SUBMITTER: Huang YC
PROVIDER: S-EPMC9841729 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jun
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Publications
Outbreak investigation in a COVID-19 designated hospital: The combination of phylogenetic analysis and field epidemiology study suggesting airborne transmission.
Journal of microbiology, immunology, and infection = Wei mian yu gan ran za zhi 20230116 3
<h4>Background</h4>Healthcare-associated COVID-19 infections caused by SARS-CoV-2 have increased morbidity and mortality. Hospitals and skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) have been challenged by infection control and management.<h4>Methods</h4>This case study presents an outbreak investigation in a COVID-19-designated hospital and a hospital-based SNF. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and other studies were performed on samples obtained from SNF residents, hospital patients, and healthca ...[more]
