Journal of Occupational Medicine and Toxicology (London, England)

J Occup Med Toxicol. 5: 10-10

Influenza A (H1N1) 2009: Impact on Frankfurt in due consideration of health care and public health

Sabine Wicker¹, Holger F Rabenau², Harald Bias³, David A Groneberg³, René Gottschalk⁴

1. Occupational Health Service, Hospital of the Johann Wolfgang Goethe-University, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany

2. Institute of Medical Virology, Hospital of the Johann Wolfgang Goethe-University, Paul-Ehrlich-Str. 40, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany

3. Institute of Occupational Medicine, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Free University and Humboldt-University Berlin, Thielalllee 69-73, 14195 Berlin, Germany

4. Health Protection Authority, City of Frankfurt am Main, Breite Gasse 28, 60313 Frankfurt am Main, Germany

Copyright ©2010 Wicker et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

DOI: 10.1186/1745-6673-5-10

Published online: 26 April 2010

Abstract

Background

In April 2009 a novel influenza A H1N1/2009 virus was identified in Mexico and in the United States which quickly spread around the world. Most of the countries established infection surveillance systems in order to track the number of (laboratory-confirmed) H1N1 cases, hospitalizations and deaths.

Methods

The impact of the emergence of the novel pandemic (H1N1) 2009 virus on Frankfurt was statistically evaluated by the Health Protection Authority, City of Frankfurt am Main.

Vaccination rates of the health care workers (HCWs) of the University Hospital Frankfurt were measured by the Occupational Health Service.

Results

Although the virulence of pandemic (H1N1) 2009 seems to be comparable with seasonal influenza, a major patient load and wave of hospital admissions occurred in the summer of 2009.

Even though the 2009 vaccination rate of the University Hospital Frankfurt (seasonal influenza [40.5%], swine flu [36.3%]) is better than the average annual uptake of influenza vaccine in the German health care system (approximately 22% for seasonal and 15% for swine flu), vaccination levels remain insufficient.

However, physicians were significantly (p < 0.001) more likely to have been vaccinated against swine flu and seasonal influenza than nurses.

Conclusions

The outbreak of the pandemic (H1N1) 2009 in April 2009 provided a major challenge to health services around the world. Nosocomial transmission of H1N1/2009 has been documented. Present experience should be used to improve pandemic preparedness plans and vaccination programs ought to target as many HCWs as possible.

Background

When the pandemic (H1N1) 2009 flu outbreak began in April 2009, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in U.S.A. and the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) in Germany began tracking and reporting the number of laboratory-confirmed influenza A H1N1/2009 cases, hospitalizations and deaths. These initial case counts (which were discontinued on July 24, 2009 in U.S.A. and on November 14, 2009 in Germany) are thought to represent a significant undercount of the actual number of influenza A H1N1/2009 flu cases, especially in the U.S. [1].

Almost a year later (April, 2010), influenza activity continues to decline or remain low in most countries. Based on FluNet data http://gamapserver.who.int/GlobalAtlas/home.asp collected by 32 countries from February 6 - 13, 2010, 48.3% of specimens testing positive for influenza were typed as influenza A and 51.7% as influenza B. In nearly all countries where influenza infection has been reported, the influenza A H1N1/2009 continues to predominate among all subtyped influenza A viruses. Out of all subtyped influenza A viruses, 90% were influenza A H1N1/2009 positive [2].

Through April 13, 2010, a total of 226,125 infections with pandemic (H1N1) 2009 had been reported in Germany, including 253 deaths [3].

The purpose of the present study was to ascertain the impact of the emergence of the novel influenza A H1N1/2009 virus on Frankfurt, a metropolis with the largest airport in Germany. Furthermore, we assessed vaccination rates of health care workers (HCWs) of the University Hospital Frankfurt.

Methods

Frankfurt am Main has 675,729 inhabitants making it the fifth largest city of Germany. Frankfurt Airport plays a key role in international air transportation. With more than 50.9 million passengers in 2009, it ranks eighth in the league table of the world's largest airports. In Europe, it is number three in terms of passengers after London-Heathrow and Paris-Charles de Gaulle. Nowadays infectious diseases and pandemics are primarily spread through aviation, for this reason there is a high risk of introducing emerging infectious diseases in the Rhein-Main region [4].

In Frankfurt am Main there are approximately 604,500 workplaces, therefore Frankfurt holds the highest job density per inhabitant in Germany. Approximately 89.2% are employed in the service sector and about 10.7% in production industries [5].

The duties and responsibilities of the public health service in Frankfurt are assumed by the Health Protection Authority of the City of Frankfurt am Main. The local health authority advises the population on the prevention of infectious diseases and on the prophylaxis of transmission of infections. People with suspected or confirmed influenza A H1N1/2009 have been reported to the Municipal Health Protection Authorities since April 30, 2009. The Office monitors the number of patients who have been detected as confirmed, probable or suspicious cases, patients who require hospitalization and the fatal causalities as well.

The Health Protection Authority of the City of Frankfurt am Main co-ordinated, on behalf of the Ministry of Health of Hesse, the swine-flu vaccination campaign in Frankfurt. Vaccinations have been administered in the office since the end of October 2009 in the following order: prioritized risk groups (HCWs, fire-fighters etc.), patients with chronic diseases, pregnant women, household contact of non-vaccinated risk groups, healthy children and young adults up to 24, healthy adults from the age range 25-59 and lastly people over the age of 60.

There are 16 hospitals in Frankfurt; the biggest one is the Frankfurt University Hospital, which is a 1,169-bed hospital with 3,900 employees (including 726 physicians, 1,300 nurses and nursing assistants) working in 24 medical departments and research facilities.

From October 2009 to March, 2010, the Occupational Health Service of the University Hospital offered seasonal influenza and swine flu vaccinations free of charge to HCWs.

The Occupational Health Service, the Institute of Medical Microbiology and Infection Control and the Institute of Medical Virology provided recommendations for infection control of influenza A H1N1/2009 in the University Hospital in co-operation with the Health Protection Authority.

Statistical analysis

For statistical analysis, data was inserted into a Microsoft Excel database file. This file represented the basis for the detailed analysis using standard MS Excel capabilities. P values (χ2 test - two-tailed χ²-test, Yates rectified) were calculated using the BiAS program for Windows 8.3 (Epsilon Verlag, Hochheim Darmstadt 2007). P values < 0.05 were defined as statistically significant.

Results

By March 5, 2010, in total 2,214 cases of influenza A/H1N1/2009 had been confirmed and had been reported to the Health Protection Authority of the City of Frankfurt am Main (see Figure 1). These cases resulted in 4 known deaths.

Figure 1View larger versionFigure 1. Reported cases of influenza A H1N1/2009 (n = 2,214) in Frankfurt am Main. Starting from November 16, 2009 only laboratory confirmed cases were counted.

Overall 10,761 H1N1 vaccinations were administered in Frankfurt am Main (see Figure 2). This led to a rather low vaccination rate (< 1.6%) of the inhabitants of Frankfurt (n = 675,729). Unfortunately, the vaccination rate of the inhabitants of Frankfurt cannot be calculated exactly, owing to the fact that a proportion of immunizations had been given to persons whose main residence is not Frankfurt am Main. These vaccinees were vaccinated e.g. at their workplaces.

Figure 2View larger versionFigure 2. Number of H1N1/2009 immunizations in Frankfurt am Main (n = 10,761). Overall, 4,379 vaccinations were administered by the Health Protection Authority of Frankfurt am Main. In total 6,382 vaccinations were administered by other immunization stations (e.g. University Hospital Frankfurt).

From October 2009 to the end of February 2010, overall, 40.5% (n = 1,579/3,900) of the HCWs of the University Hospital Frankfurt were vaccinated against seasonal influenza, and 36.3% (n = 1,416/3,900) were vaccinated against influenza A/H1N1/2009 ("swine flu").

The average age of an employee of the University Hospital is 42 years, the average age of the seasonal influenza vaccinees was 39.6 (range: 19-67 years), the average age of the swine flu vaccinees was 38.2 (range: 20-64 years).

Physicians (n = 586/726) were significantly more likely to have been vaccinated against swine flu than nurses (n = 393/1300) (80.7% versus 30.2%, respectively; p < 0.001). Roughly the same was shown for seasonal influenza.

Men and women were analyzed separately, providing an insight into gender-specific determinants of immunization behavior. Table 1 and 2 present vaccination rates according job description and gender, separated for each vaccine and HCW who received both vaccines. In total, 48% of the H1N1 ("swine flu") vaccinees were also given the seasonal flu vaccine and 43% of the seasonal influenza vaccinees received the H1N1 vaccine as well (see Table 2).

See full tableTable 1. Demographic characteristics of vaccines (separated for each kind of flu vaccine)

See full tableTable 2. Characteristics of HCWs who received both influenza vaccines (against H1N1/2009 and seasonal flu)

Overall, 49.2% (312/634) of the male H1N1 vaccinees also received a seasonal flu vaccination and 54.4% (312/574) of the seasonal flu vaccines received a H1N1/2009 vaccination (p = 0.074).

While there is no significant difference in the proportion of male and female H1N1/2009 vaccinated HCWs who also received a seasonal flu vaccination (p = 0.393), a gender-specific difference could have been demonstrated for seasonal flu vaccinees who also received a H1N1/2009 vaccination (male 54.4% [312/574] versus female 36.5% [367/1,005]; p < 0.001).

Discussion

Evidence from the past few months demonstrates that the influenza A H1N1/2009 virus has rapidly established itself and is now the dominant influenza strain in most parts of the world [2,6].

Influenza viruses are highly contagious; the basis reproduction number (R₀) of influenza A H1N1/2009 was estimated to be between 1.4 and 1.6 [7]. If the R0 is greater than 1, a pandemic might occur [6].

In the City of Frankfurt am Main 2,214 probable and confirmed cases were notified to the Health Protection Authority. However, this number reflects only a small fraction of the people with the pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza infection. Estimated numbers of unknown cases will be distinctly higher for a variety of reasons, especially since not all patients seek medical care due to a mild course of the disease. In a study performed between April and July 2009 in the U.S., the estimated numbers of unknown cases were calculated to 79:1 with a 90% probability range of 47-148, which means that one registered flu case correspond with 79 unknown cases [8]. Estimating the numbers of unknown cases to be 70 for the City of Frankfurt am Main a total of nearly 155,000 cases (or 23% of the inhabitants) seems to be realistic assessment.

Fortunately, the majority of cases are considered to be lenient. Fatal causes occur mostly but not exclusively in patients with underlying medical conditions (chronic diseases such as asthma, diabetes, immunosuppression, obesity).

The working environment may be crucial to pandemic preparedness planning [9]. Workplaces are potential sources of disease transmission, and illness and absenteeism might lead to substantial productivity losses and could disrupt the functionality of the health care system [10]. HCWs are at risk of occupational exposure to influenza and may transmit the infection to their patients and co-workers [11,12]. The influenza attack rate among unprotected HCWs might be approximately 60% higher than that of the general population, which would result in substantial absenteeism and morbidity [13]. On account of this, the health care system needs to be aware of the safety of their HCWs because they are at significant risk of becoming infected [14].

Recent data suggest that the influenza A H1N1/2009 virus is transmitted via large particle droplets [15]. Because large droplets remain suspended in the air only for a short time, close contact is a precondition for virus transmission [6]. Occupationally acquired infections of influenza A H1N1/2009 in HCWs have been documented [16]. Unfortunately, nurses (who usually have both closer and longer contact with patients than any other professional group of HCWs) demonstrate flu vaccination rates which are 2 up to 2.5 times lower than the vaccination rates of physicians (see Table 1).

Vaccination seems to be the best defense against high infection rates among susceptible and vulnerable people. Nevertheless, compliance rates with influenza vaccination among HCWs and the general population remain low [17-19].

Current data shows that by the end of December 2009 as few as 22% of U.S. HCWs had received the swine flu vaccine [6]. Vaccination rates in Germany are just as low, an estimated 15% of German HCWs have received the swine flu vaccine [17]. Albeit, the vaccination rate of the University Hospital Frankfurt is better, both for swine flu (36.3%), and seasonal influenza (40.5%), than the average annual uptake of the influenza vaccine in the German health care system (approximately 22%). Nevertheless, vaccination levels among HCWs remain insufficient. It is crucial that an effective response to a pandemic as well as a mitigation of the associated morbidity and mortality ought to be predicated on a vaccinated, working, and informed health care population [6].

Compared to other HCWs, nurses have lower flu vaccination rates and seem to be most doubtful of influenza vaccine efficacy and necessity and most afraid of their adverse effects. A study of a large tertiary medical center revealed that nurses had fears and misconception about influenza vaccination despite perceived receipt of adequate information to support good decision-making. Furthermore, nurses judged influenza vaccination as a personal health choice, not as an evidence-based nursing intervention [20].

The pulmonary pathologic findings in fatal causalities caused by influenza A H1N1/2009 virus are similar to findings identified in the 1918 and 1957 pandemics [21]. There is still considerable uncertainty about how the influenza A H1N1/2009 virus will behave over the coming months and years. To achieve data for prediction of the future development an early and consequent surveillance and monitoring system with a standardized and coordinated international information sharing is crucial for the management not only for pandemic influenza but all pandemics [22]. The setting of standards for coping with this should be subject to a municipal or local decision but also established at national and global levels. National authorities need to know how the pandemic is evolving, not only in their own country, but also in neighboring countries and continents [23].

Thus far, in contrast to seasonal influenza viruses, the influenza A H1N1/2009 virus has disproportionately affected young people, and this is where most complications have occurred, particularly in those with pre-existing chronic conditions. At this point of time the virulence of influenza A H1N1/2009 virus is similar to that of seasonal influenza viruses [6]. However, we do not yet know if there might be a change.

Limitations

To appreciate the results of our study, some potential limitations need to be addressed:

First, the results from a single academic institution or city may not be applicable to other institutions and other geographic regions. Second, the number of HCWs who received either their seasonal flu vaccination or the swine flu vaccination from their general practitioner or other health authorities could not be calculated. Third, the immunization rate and the overall number of cases of the inhabitants of Frankfurt could only be estimated.

Conclusions

This influenza A/H1N1 pandemic differs in significant aspects from the experiences gained from earlier pandemics. All simulations which predicted the potential course of this pandemic have been wrong. Measures of infection control of the public health authorities are in place and have been proven to be effective irrespective of the specific agents. A practice-based and future-oriented perfect preparation for taking on the challenges of pandemics is considered to be indispensable. Due to informational needs of the public and employees, professional, constant and reliable risk communication is crucial to successfully cope with pandemics.

Conflict of interests

The views in this article are the personal views of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the professional organizations or institutions within which we are members.

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Authors' contributions

SW and RG drafted the manuscript.

SW, HFR and RG conceived the study and the study design, performed the analysis and interpretation of the data.

DAG and HB: scientific supervision, revised the manuscript critically for important intellectual content.

All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Dr. Domenica Varwig (Department of Dermatology), Dr. Regina Allwinn and Dr. Miriam Wittek (Institute of Medical Virology) for their support during the swine flu vaccination campaign.

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Figure 1.

Reported cases of influenza A H1N1/2009 (n = 2,214) in Frankfurt am Main. Starting from November 16, 2009 only laboratory confirmed cases were counted.

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Figure 2.

Number of H1N1/2009 immunizations in Frankfurt am Main (n = 10,761). Overall, 4,379 vaccinations were administered by the Health Protection Authority of Frankfurt am Main. In total 6,382 vaccinations were administered by other immunization stations (e.g. University Hospital Frankfurt).

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Table 1.

Demographic characteristics of vaccines (separated for each kind of flu vaccine)

H1N1 ("swine flu")
Seasonal influenza

n
[%]
p-value
n
[%]
p-value

Vaccination rate
1,416/3,900
36.3

1,579/3,900
40.5
→
P < 0.001

Male (n = 1,158)
634
54.7
p < 0.001
574
49.6
p < 0.001
P = 0.013

Female (n = 2,742)
782
28.5
p < 0.001
1,005
36.7
p < 0.001
P < 0.001

Job description

Physicians (n = 726)
586
80.7
p < 0.001
497
68.5
p < 0.001
P < 0.001

Nurses (n = 1,300)
393
30.2
p < 0.001
432
33.2
p < 0.001
P = 0.100

Medical technicians(n = 850)
101
11.8

171
20.1

Scientists (n = 224)
176
78.6

127
56.7

Administrative personnel (n = 300)
93
31.0

154
51.3

Others (e.g.: Maintenance, catering, workshop, transport) (n = 500)
67
13.4

198
39.6

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Table 2.

Characteristics of HCWs who received both influenza vaccines (against H1N1/2009 and seasonal flu)

Proportion of H1N1 ("swine flu") vaccinees who also received seasonal influenza vaccination [%]

Vaccination H1N1
[n]
[%]
p-value [%]

Total (n = 1,416)
679
48.0

Male (n = 634)
312
49.2
0.393

Female (n = 782)
367
46.9
0.393

Job description

Physicians (n = 586)
331
56.5
0.008

Nurses (n = 393)
188
47.8
0.008

Medical technicians (n = 101)
45
44.6

Scientists (n = 176)
52
29.5

Administrative personnel (n = 93)
39
41.9

Others (e.g.: Maintenance, catering, workshop, transport) (n = 67)
24
35.8

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