title: Lack of SARS transmission and U.S. SARS case-patient.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: 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
authors.forename: Angela J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Peck
authors.forename: E Claire
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Newbern
authors.forename: Daniel R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Feikin
authors.forename: Elmira T
authors.initials: ET
authors.lastname: Issakbaeva
authors.forename: Benjamin J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Jason
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fehr
authors.forename: Ashley C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: LaMonte
authors.forename: Thong P
authors.initials: TP
authors.lastname: Le
authors.forename: Terry L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Burger
authors.forename: Luther V
authors.initials: LV
authors.lastname: Rhodes
authors.forename: Andre
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Weltman
authors.forename: Dean
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Erdman
authors.forename: Thomas G
authors.initials: TG
authors.lastname: Ksiazek
authors.forename: Jairam R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Lingappa
mesh_terms: 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