Lack of SARS Transmission and U.S. SARS Case-Patient [open pdf - 210KB]
In early April 2003, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) was diagnosed in a Pennsylvania resident after his exposure to persons with SARS in Toronto, Canada. To identify contacts of the case-patient and evaluate the risk for SARS transmission, a detailed epidemiologic investigation was performed. On the basis of this investigation, 26 persons (17 healthcare workers, 4 household contacts, and 5 others) were identified as having had close contact with this case-patient before infection-control practices were implemented. Laboratory evaluation of clinical specimens showed no evidence of transmission of SARS-associated coronavirus (SARS-CoV) infection to any close contact of this patient. This document concludes that, under certain circumstances, SARS-CoV is not readily transmitted to close contacts, despite ample unprotected exposures. Improving the understanding of risk factors for transmission will help focus public health control measures.
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Date: | 2004-02 |
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Copyright: | Public Domain |
Format: | pdf |
Media Type: | application/pdf |
Source: | Emerging Infectious Diseases (February 2004), v.10, no.2, p. 217-224 |
URL: |