Prevention and control of outbreaks of seasonal influenza in long-term care facilities: a review of the evidence and best-practice guidance (January 2017)

Seasonal influenza is an acute viral infection that spreads easily from person to person, causing annual epidemics which peak during the winter in temperate regions of the world. Influenza can affect anyone but some people, including the very young, the elderly, pregnant women and those with underlying diseases, obesity or a weakened immune system are at higher risk of developing severe infection, requiring hospitalization, and possibly leading to death.

Health care-associated influenza infections and influenza outbreaks in long–term care facilities (LTCFs) are well–documented. These outbreaks have the potential to spread rapidly among residents, staff and visitors and to cause severe illness and death among residents.