RESUMEN
An epidemic of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) began in Foshan municipality, Guangdong Province, China, in November 2002. We studied SARS case reports through April 30, 2003, including data from case investigations and a case series analysis of index cases. A total of 1,454 clinically confirmed cases (and 55 deaths) occurred; the epidemic peak was in the first week of February 2003. Healthcare workers accounted for 24% of cases. Clinical signs and symptoms differed between children (<18 years) and older persons (> or =65 years). Several observations support the hypothesis of a wild animal origin for SARS. Cases apparently occurred independently in at least five different municipalities; early case-patients were more likely than later patients to report living near a produce market (odds ratio undefined; lower 95% confidence interval 2.39) but not near a farm; and 9 (39%) of 23 early patients, including 6 who lived or worked in Foshan, were food handlers with probable animal contact.
Asunto(s)
Brotes de Enfermedades , Síndrome Respiratorio Agudo Grave/epidemiología , Coronavirus Relacionado al Síndrome Respiratorio Agudo Severo/crecimiento & desarrollo , Adolescente , Adulto , Anciano , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Niño , Preescolar , China/epidemiología , Femenino , Personal de Salud , Humanos , Lactante , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Exposición Profesional , Factores de Riesgo , Síndrome Respiratorio Agudo Grave/virología , Estadísticas no Paramétricas , Encuestas y CuestionariosRESUMEN
China holds the key to solving many questions crucial to global control of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). The disease appears to have originated in Guangdong Province, and the causative agent, SARS coronavirus, is likely to have originated from an animal host, perhaps sold in public markets. Epidemiologic findings, integral to defining an animal-human linkage, may be confirmed by laboratory studies; once animal host (s) are confirmed, interventions may be needed to prevent further animal-to-human transmission. Community seroprevalence studies may help determine the basis for the decline in disease incidence in Guangdong Province after February 2002. China will also be able to contribute key data about how the causative agent is transmitted and how it is evolving, as well as identifying pivotal factors influencing disease outcome.