Re-survey on epidemiological history of 1 091 probable cases with severe acute respiratory syndrome in Beijing / 中华预防医学杂志

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To know their real epidemiological histories in 1,091 probale cases of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) without definite history of contact with SARS patients in the first survey.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>All the probable SARS cases until June 9, 2003 without definite history of contact with SARS patients in the first epidemiological survey were included in a re-survey with questionnaire. The second survey was carried out during June 9 to 30, 2003.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The results showed that history of contact with other SARS patients was obtained in 15.9% of 1 091 probale SRAS cases in the second survey, transmission of SARS to others was found in 10.5% of them, and source of infection in hospital was found in 46.5%. Comprehensive judgement based on epidemiological history showed that probale history of contact with SARS patients could be found in 72.9% of 1,091 probale cases of SARS in the second survey.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Source of infection could be found through additional survey in part of probale cases of SARS without it in initial epidemiological survey.</p>