[An epidemic of type B influenza in the geriatric psychiatry department of a psychiatric hospital].

The authors submit an epidemiological and aetiological analysis of a local epidemic of influenza type B which occurred in April 1989 in a mental hospital at the geronto-psychiatric department. In the course of two weeks 26 patients and 5 health workers from a total of 72 exposed subjects contracted influenza. 50% of the patients who contracted influenza died. The authors emphasize the necessity of early preventive epidemiological provisions in institutions of this type.