What is the recommended course of action by the CDC when several patients test positive for influenza A in a long-term care facility?

The recommended course of action by the CDC when several patients test positive for influenza A in a long-term care facility is to isolate infected residents. This approach helps prevent the spread of the virus to other residents and protects those who may be more vulnerable, particularly in a long-term care setting where individuals often have underlying health conditions.

Isolating infected individuals can reduce the transmission rate within the facility and allows for better management of the illness among those who are affected. By keeping infected residents away from others, the likelihood of an outbreak can be minimized, and public health measures can be more effectively implemented.

While chemoprophylaxis, increasing vaccination efforts, and conducting widespread testing might be beneficial actions under certain circumstances, the immediate priority in the event of multiple positive cases is to isolate the infected individuals to control and contain the outbreak effectively.