Occupational risk of human parvovirus B19 infection for school and day-care personnel during an outbreak of erythema infectiosum
S. M. Gillespie, M. L. Cartter, S. Asch, J. B. Rokos, G. W. Gary, C. J. Tsou, D. B. Hall, L. J. Anderson and E. S. Hurwitz
Division of Viral Diseases, Centers for Disease Control, Atlanta, Ga.
Human parvovirus B19, the cause of erythema infectiosum, has recently been
associated with adverse fetal outcomes. During a large outbreak of erythema
infectiosum in Connecticut, a survey was conducted on 571 (90%) of 634
school and day-care personnel to determine the risk of acquiring B19
infection. Serologic evidence of B19 infection was determined by using an
enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Of the school and day-care personnel,
58% had evidence of previous B19 infection. The minimal rate of B19
infection in susceptible personnel during the outbreak was 19%. The risk
was increased for teachers and day-care providers who had contact with
younger children and with greater numbers of ill children. These results
suggest that B19 infection is an occupational risk for school and day-care
personnel.
