Impact of public health interventions in controlling the spread of SARS: Modelling of intervention scenarios

A variety of intervention measures exist to prevent and control diseases with pandemic potential like SARS or pandemic influenza. They differ in their approach and effectiveness in reducing the number of cases getting infected. The effects of different intervention measures were investigated by a ma...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International journal of hygiene and environmental health 2009, Vol.212 (1), p.67-75
Main Authors: Krumkamp, Ralf, Duerr, Hans-Peter, Reintjes, Ralf, Ahmad, Amena, Kassen, Annette, Eichner, Martin
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Air. Soil. Water. Waste. Feeding
Biological and medical sciences
Communicable Disease Control - methods
Disease Outbreaks - prevention & control
Environment. Living conditions
Global outbreak containment
Hospitals
Humans
Intervention measures
Mathematical modelling
Medical sciences
Miscellaneous
Models, Theoretical
Policy advice
Public Health - methods
Public health. Hygiene
Public health. Hygiene-occupational medicine
Quarantine
SARS
SARS coronavirus
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome - diagnosis
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome - epidemiology
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome - prevention & control
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome - transmission
Toxicology
Vaccination
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Summary:A variety of intervention measures exist to prevent and control diseases with pandemic potential like SARS or pandemic influenza. They differ in their approach and effectiveness in reducing the number of cases getting infected. The effects of different intervention measures were investigated by a mathematical modelling approach, with comparisons based on the effective reproduction number ( R e). The analysis showed that early case detection followed by strict isolation could control a SARS outbreak. Tracing close contacts of cases and contacts of exposed health care workers additionally reduces the R e. Tracing casual contacts and measures aiming to decrease social interaction were less effective in reducing the number of SARS cases. The study emphasizes the importance of early identification and isolation of SARS cases to reduce the number of people getting infected. However, doing so transfers cases to health care facilities, making infection control measures in hospitals essential to avoid nosocomial spread. The modelling approach applied in this study is useful for analysing interactions of different intervention measures for reducing the R e of SARS.
ISSN:1438-4639
1618-131X
DOI:10.1016/j.ijheh.2008.01.004