Peck, Angela J., Newbern, E. Claire, Feikin, Daniel R., Isakbaeva, Elmira T., Park, Benjamin J., Fehr, Jason T., LaMonte, Ashley C., Le, Thong P., Burger, Terry L., Rhodes III, Luther V., Weltman, Andre, Erdman, Dean, Ksiazek, Thomas G., Lingappa, Jairam R., Issakbaeva, Elmira T, Fehr, Jason, Rhodes, Luther V 3rd, and SARS Pennsylvania Case Investigation Team
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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]