Swine influenza A at Fort Dix, New Jersey (January-February 1976). IV. Summary and speculation

Abstract

Influenza A/New Jersey/76 virus was detected at Fort Dix from January 19 through February 9, 1976 and infected at least 230 military personnel. Thirteen hospital admissions for acute respiratory disease were associated with influenza A/New Jersey infection, and additional members of index training companies may have been hospitalized with influenza A/New Jersey. This virus was likely introduced into the reception center by an incoming trainee. Although our studies could not eliminate the possibility that influenza A/New jersey strains are inherently less transmissible in humans than H3N2 viruses, the simultaneous transmission of influenza A/Victoria/75 virus and the unusual environment in basic combat training may explain why influenza A/New Jersey did not spread significantly outside of this training population.