Lack of SARS transmission and U.S. SARS case-patient.
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 investigation documents 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.
Peck
Angela J
AJ
National Center for Infectious Diseases, Division of Viral and Rickettsial Diseases, Respiratory and Enteric Virus Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia 30333, USA. apeck@cdc.gov
Newbern
E Claire
EC
Feikin
Daniel R
DR
Issakbaeva
Elmira T
ET
Park
Benjamin J
BJ
Fehr
Jason
J
LaMonte
Ashley C
AC
Le
Thong P
TP
Burger
Terry L
TL
Rhodes
Luther V
LV
Weltman
Andre
A
Erdman
Dean
D
Ksiazek
Thomas G
TG
Lingappa
Jairam R
JR
D016358:Contact Tracing; D015981:Epidemiologic Factors; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009864:Ontario / Q000453:epidemiology; D010414:Pennsylvania / Q000453:epidemiology; D011634:Public Health; D012307:Risk Factors; D045169:Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission*; D013997:Time Factors; D014195:Travel; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology