Infection control of pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza in hospitals — a logistic challenge

department of a tertiary hospital in Melbourne with a 1-week history of dyspnoea and a productive cough. He had underlying chronic obstructive airways disease (COAD) and type 2 diabetes mellitus. He reported no history of fever and no recent travel or contact with people with The influenza-like Medical illness Journal (ILI). of On Australia examination, ISSN: his 0025- temperature was 37.0°C, 729X oxygen 1 February saturation 2010 was 192 97 % 3 in 164-165 room air, and he had an expiratory wheeze. ©The No abnormalities Medical Journal were seen of Australia on chest x-ray. 2010 Full blood examination www.mja.com.au showed a peripheral white cell count within the reference range Pandemic (RR), and (H1N1) a raised C-reactive 2009 protein level (27 mg/L; RR, < 5 mg/L). The patient was admitted to a four-bed hospital ward and treated with oral doxycycline, corticosteroids and nebulised salbutamol. A nasal swab was sent to the state reference laboratory for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing for respiratory viruses to identify any potential viral precipitant for the apparent exacerbation of COAD. Results received 2 days later were positive for influenza A virus, which was