Reference no: EM132695385
Viral Influenza Case Study
The CDC received an influenza specimen on April 17, 2009, that had been forwarded as an unsubtypable influenza A virus from the Naval Health Research Center in San Diego, California. CDC identified this specimen as a swine influenza A (H1N1) virus on April 17, 2009, and notified the California Department of Public Health. The source of the specimen, patient B, is a girl aged 9 years who resides in Imperial County, California, adjacent to San Diego County. On March 28, 2009, she had onset of cough and fever (104.3°F). She was taken to an outpatient facility that was participating in an influenza surveillance project, treated with amoxicillin/clavulanate potassium and an antihistamine, and has since recovered uneventfully. The child had not received influenza vaccine during this influenza season. The patient and her parents reported no exposure to pigs, although the girl did attend an agricultural fair where pigs were exhibited approximately 4 weeks before illness onset. The Imperial County Public Health Department and the California Department of Public Health are now conducting an investigation to determine possible sources of infection and to identify any additional human cases. The patient's brother aged 13 years had influenza-like symptoms on April 1, 2009, and a male cousin aged 13 years living in the home had influenza-like symptoms on March 25, 2009, 3 days before onset of the patient's symptoms. The brother and cousin were not tested for influenza at the time of their illnesses.
What family does the influenza virus belong?
Describe the structure of influenza virus.
Influenza A viruses are classified into subtypes using the H and N glycoproteins. What do these letters stand for and what is the function of each?
Why are pigs and birds of significant concern for influenza infection?
How does the term "antigenic shift" apply to the influenza viruses?
During what time-period of the influenza-like illness should rapid testing be performed?
How is the ideal patient specimen collected?
What is most likely source of the girl's infection?
Do you think that this child treated appropriately? Explain.
Describe the molecular assay(s) available for diagnosing influenza.