Outbreak of Influenza in Highly Vaccinated Crew of U.S. Navy Ship

Abstract

An outbreak of influenza A (H3N2) occurred aboard a U.S. Navy ship in February 1996, despite 95% of the crew's having been appropriately vaccinated. Virus isolated from ill crew members was antigenicly distinct from the vaccination strain. With an attack rate of 42%, this outbreak demonstrates the potential for rapid spread of influenza in a confined population and the impact subsequent illness may have upon the workplace.

Keywords

• Influenza
• respiratory tract infections
• military
• epidemiology
• United States