Lack of SARS Transmission and U.S. SARS Case-Patient

Angela J. Peck, E. Claire Newbern, Daniel R. Feikin, Elmira T. Isakbaeva, Benjamin J. Park, Jason T. Fehr, Ashley C. LaMonte, Thong P. Le, Terry L. Burger, Luther V. Rhodes, Andre Weltman, Dean Erdman, Thomas G. Ksiazek, Jairam R. Lingappa, Marc Alain Widdowson, Nino Khetsuriani, L. Clifford McDonald, Stephan S. Monroe, Suxiang Tong, James A. ComerDaniel Jernigan, Matthew J. Kuehnert, Joseph S. Bresee, Sara A. Lowther, Larry J. Anderson, Mary Theresa Temarantz, John P. Bart, William S. Miller, Mary Jo Lampart, Carol Yozviak, Shana Stites, Susan Oliver, Debra Wilson, Carol Guanowsky, Beverly Wasko, Corwin A. Robertson, Dianne Krolikowski, Jeff Bomboy, Reynaldo C. Guerra

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

18 Scopus citations

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.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)217-224
Number of pages8
JournalEmerging infectious diseases
Volume10
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 2004
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Epidemiology
  • Microbiology (medical)
  • Infectious Diseases

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