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Children with neurological and neurodevelopmental conditions are known to be at increased risk for severe — sometimes lethal — influenza virus infection. In February 2011, an influenza outbreak occurred in an Ohio residential facility that houses such patients. Among 130 residents, 76 developed acute respiratory signs and symptoms; 13 (all of whom had been immunized several months earlier) developed severe influenza-related illness.
Of the 13 severely ill residents, 10 required hospitalization, and 7 died. Median age was 22 (range, 14–33), similar to that of the other facility residents. Samples from nine of these individuals were tested; six samples were positive for influenza A virus by rapid influenza diagnostic test, and one was positive…