[The application of a systematic-dynamic model to study the computer simulation of severe acute respiratory syndrome transmission and the impact of control measures].
OBJECTIVE
(1) Building a macroscopical systematic-dynamic model of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) transmission and disease control process. (2) To determine key variables on the control of SARS epidemic through computer simulation methodology, especially to analyze the effect of "screening for fever" practice during the epidemics. (3) To provide evidence for related decision-making.


METHODS
Parameters in the model were collected from local hospitals and municapal CDC through interview, questionnaire survey, literature review and case analysis. A systematic-dynamic model was built under similar studies. 'What-if' analysis was used during the simulation process.


RESULTS
(1) The mean duration between disease onset and hospital admission, rate of contacts of each infectious individual as well as the rate of contacts in hospital of each infectious individual appeared to be the key variables in the process of SARS transmission. (2) Physician's alertness/sense and practice of self-protection on SARS, measures on quarantine and isolation to the patients, ventilation and disinfection process in the wards appeared to be the key variables for the control of epidemics. (3) "Screening for fever" practice on each patient at the entrance of the hospital did not seem to act as an important factor to the control of the epidemics.


CONCLUSIONS
The health system in Beijing can control SARS epidemic rapidly based on current applied disease control measures and plan.
Zeng
Zhe-chun
ZC
Department of Epidemiology Beijing Institute of Heart Lung and Blood Vessel Disease, Beijing 100029, China.
Zhao
Dong
D
Li
Yan
Y
Guo
Qiang
Q
Shi
Peng
P
Li
Zhe
Z
Yin
Hui-jun
HJ
Li
Yang
Y
D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D003198:Computer Simulation; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D045169:Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy / Q000635:transmission*