Epidemiological study on 88 SARS-contacting persons

  Objective   To study whether there were sub-clinical SARS infection among persons whoever contacted with SARS patients, and to evaluate fulfillment of control measures.

  Methods   88 closed contact persons were followed up.They were investigated with questionnaire about general demography characters, contact degree with SARS patients, personal protection measures and their health status.ELASA test was carried out to detect sera total antibody level of SARS coronavirus.

  Results   Four closed contact persons were SARS antibody positive and the positive rate was 4.5%.The rate of personal over all protection was 14.8%, which of high-risk hygiene workers before April 13 was significant higher than the rate after that time(R_{before control}=9.5%;R_{after control}=29.1%;P < 0.05), when SARS was controlled as an infectious disease defined leg ally by the Ministry of Public Health.

  Conclusion   There were sub-clinical infection with SARS corona-virus among closed contact persons.Carrying out over all protection measures at early period when SARS imported in Guangyuan city, could effectively control SARS spreading in Guang yuan city and Sichuan province.Major problems for controlling SARS transmission in the future were to streng then personal overall protection measures and control hospital infection.