TY - JOUR
T1 - Transmission of novel influenza A(H1N1) in households with post-exposure antiviral prophylaxis
AU - van Boven, Michiel
AU - Donker, Tjibbe
AU - van der Lubben, Mariken
AU - van Gageldonk-Lafeber, Rianne B
AU - te Beest, Dennis E
AU - Koopmans, Marion
AU - Meijer, Adam
AU - Timen, Aura
AU - Swaan, Corien
AU - Dalhuijsen, Anton
AU - Hahné, Susan
AU - van den Hoek, Anneke
AU - Teunis, Peter
AU - van der Sande, Marianne A B
AU - Wallinga, Jacco
PY - 2010/7/7
Y1 - 2010/7/7
N2 - BACKGROUND: Despite impressive advances in our understanding of the biology of novel influenza A(H1N1) virus, little is as yet known about its transmission efficiency in close contact places such as households, schools, and workplaces. These are widely believed to be key in supporting propagating spread, and it is therefore of importance to assess the transmission levels of the virus in such settings.METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We estimate the transmissibility of novel influenza A(H1N1) in 47 households in the Netherlands using stochastic epidemic models. All households contained a laboratory confirmed index case, and antiviral drugs (oseltamivir) were given to both the index case and other households members within 24 hours after detection of the index case. Among the 109 household contacts there were 9 secondary infections in 7 households. The overall estimated secondary attack rate is low (0.075, 95%CI: 0.037-0.13). There is statistical evidence indicating that older persons are less susceptible to infection than younger persons (relative susceptibility of older persons: 0.11, 95%CI: 0.024-0.43. Notably, the secondary attack rate from an older to a younger person is 0.35 (95%CI: 0.14-0.61) when using an age classification of 12 years, and 0.28 (95%CI: 0.12-0.50) when using an age classification of 18 years.CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Our results indicate that the overall household transmission levels of novel influenza A(H1N1) in antiviral-treated households were low in the early stage of the epidemic. The relatively high rate of adult-to-child transmission indicates that control measures focused on this transmission route will be most effective in minimizing the total number of infections.
AB - BACKGROUND: Despite impressive advances in our understanding of the biology of novel influenza A(H1N1) virus, little is as yet known about its transmission efficiency in close contact places such as households, schools, and workplaces. These are widely believed to be key in supporting propagating spread, and it is therefore of importance to assess the transmission levels of the virus in such settings.METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We estimate the transmissibility of novel influenza A(H1N1) in 47 households in the Netherlands using stochastic epidemic models. All households contained a laboratory confirmed index case, and antiviral drugs (oseltamivir) were given to both the index case and other households members within 24 hours after detection of the index case. Among the 109 household contacts there were 9 secondary infections in 7 households. The overall estimated secondary attack rate is low (0.075, 95%CI: 0.037-0.13). There is statistical evidence indicating that older persons are less susceptible to infection than younger persons (relative susceptibility of older persons: 0.11, 95%CI: 0.024-0.43. Notably, the secondary attack rate from an older to a younger person is 0.35 (95%CI: 0.14-0.61) when using an age classification of 12 years, and 0.28 (95%CI: 0.12-0.50) when using an age classification of 18 years.CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Our results indicate that the overall household transmission levels of novel influenza A(H1N1) in antiviral-treated households were low in the early stage of the epidemic. The relatively high rate of adult-to-child transmission indicates that control measures focused on this transmission route will be most effective in minimizing the total number of infections.
KW - Adolescent
KW - Adult
KW - Age Factors
KW - Aged
KW - Antiviral Agents/therapeutic use
KW - Child
KW - Child, Preschool
KW - Female
KW - Humans
KW - Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype/pathogenicity
KW - Influenza, Human/drug therapy
KW - Male
KW - Middle Aged
KW - Oseltamivir/therapeutic use
KW - Young Adult
UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/77955400985
UR - https://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=77955400985&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1371/journal.pone.0011442
DO - 10.1371/journal.pone.0011442
M3 - Article
C2 - 20628642
SN - 1932-6203
VL - 5
SP - e11442
JO - PLoS ONE
JF - PLoS ONE
IS - 7
ER -
