[Effects of surveillance system and preventive measures on the control of severe acute respiratory syndrome in a university in Guangdong Province of China].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the influence of the surveillance system and preventive measurements on the control of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in a university in Guangdong Province.


METHODS
A university with more than thirty thousand undergraduates, staff and their relatives was retrospectively studied, from which information regarding the status of epidemic, organization of leadership, disease control strategies and measures were collected and analyzed.


RESULTS
The construction of the surveillance system in such a model as "individual-dormitory/home-class/unite-faculty and institute-university" largely contributed to the achievement of the goals of low incidence, no secondary, no epidemic, and no death. A series of control measures benefited the early diagnosis, effective isolation, prevention, and treatment of SARS control.


CONCLUSIONS
SARS could be effectively controlled in university only if strict surveillance system is built up, and all-round preventions, including early isolation of both confirmed or suspected cases and close contacted persons, are carried out.
Chen
Qing-shan
QS
Department of Preventive Medicine, Medical College, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China.
Wang
Sheng-yong
SY
Jing
Chun-xia
CX
Liu
Guo-ning
GN
Chi
Gui-bo
GB
Dong
Xiao-mei
XM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002681:China; D003140:Communicable Disease Control / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011159:Population Surveillance / Q000379:methods*; D045169:Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014495:Universities