An unusual respiratory syncytial virus nosocomial outbreak in an adult psychiatry ward.

Herein we report our experience in containing an outbreak of nosocomial respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection in a psychiatric ward in central Taiwan during a non-widespread RSV seasonal occurrence. A total of 8 patients and 4 healthcare workers in the psychiatric ward developed febrile illness or upper respiratory tract infection symptoms between August 23 and 29, 2005. RSV was identified by either viral culture or reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay. RSV was isolated from a symptomatic staff member (8.3%), and was detected in 5 (42%) by RT-PCR among 12 cases. All 5 of these RSV cases detected belonged to genotype A. In our experience, single cubicle isolation of infectious patients and a cohort of nursing care are the most important factors in the successful control of an RSV outbreak.