Emerging Infectious Diseases (Jun 2001)

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

  • Kenneth C. Earhart,
  • Christine Beadle,
  • Larry K. Miller,
  • Martin W. Pruss,
  • Gregory C. Gray,
  • Elizabeth K. Ledbetter,
  • Mark R. Wallace

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3201/eid0703.017320
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 7, no. 3
pp. 463 – 465

Abstract

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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.

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