SARS
Return to Library
Report summarizes severe acute respiratory syndrome study findings from A. Goubar and co-researchers
2009 JUL 14 - (NewsRx.com) -- New research, 'An approach to estimate the number of SARS cases imported by international air travel,' is the subject of a report. "The worldwide spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) raised questions about the risk of importation of such infection, in particular by air travel. Entry screening was implemented in some countries although poor evidence on its effectiveness is reported," investigators in Saint Maurice, France report. "We developed a model to estimate the number of imported SARS cases between regions, using the 2003 SARS epidemic data to apply this model for two scenarios: from Beijing to Frankfurt and from Hong Kong to London. We back-calculated the data to estimate individuals' time of infection and built a model where every individual has a probability of being isolated, of traveling, and of being undetected at arrival. The findings, consistent with what was observed in 2003, suggest that entry screening does not affect the predicted number of imported cases," wrote A. Goubar and colleagues, . The researchers concluded: "Inversely, importation depends on the transmission dynamic in the country of origin (including control measures in place) and on the intensity of air travel between regions." Goubar and colleagues published their study in Epidemiology and Infection (An approach to estimate the number of SARS cases imported by international air travel. Epidemiology and Infection, 2009;137(7):1019-31). For additional information, contact A. Goubar, Institut de Veille Sanitaire, Infectious Diseases Department, Saint Maurice, France. The publisher of the journal Epidemiology and Infection can be contacted at: Cambridge University Press, 32 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10013-2473. Keywords: France, Saint Maurice, Epidemics, Epidemiology, SARS, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome. This article was prepared by Health Risk Factor Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2009, Health Risk Factor Week via NewsRx.com.
|
