Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 Influenza in Hospitalized Children in Manitoba: Nosocomial Transmission and Lessons Learned from the First Wave

Objective. To review the experiences at Winnipeg Children’s Hospital (WCH) during the 2009 influenza season, with an emphasis on nosocomial transmission and infection prevention and control responses.Design. A case series of patients admitted to WCH who had laboratory-confirmed cases of influenza between January 1 and July 31, 2009, with a comparison of patients with seasonal influenza and those with pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza; a review of the impact of infection prevention and control modifications on nosocomial transmission.Patients and Setting. A total of 104 inpatients with influenza, 81 of whom had pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza, were reviewed at a large Canadian pediatric tertiary care center.Results. There were no differences in risk factors, presentation, or outcome between patients with seasonal influenza and those with pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza. There were 8 nosocomial cases of pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza. Excluding patients with nosocomial cases, mean length of hospital stay was sig...