Introduction of SARS in France, March–April, 2003

Abstract

We describe severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in France. Patients meeting the World Health Organization definition of a suspected case underwent a clinical, radiologic, and biologic assessment at the closest university-affiliated infectious disease ward. Suspected cases were immediately reported to the Institut de Veille Sanitaire. Probable case-patients were isolated, their contacts quarantined at home, and were followed for 10 days after exposure. Five probable cases occurred from March through April 2003; four were confirmed as SARS coronavirus by reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction, serologic testing, or both. The index case-patient (patient A), who had worked in the French hospital of Hanoi, Vietnam, was the most probable source of transmission for the three other confirmed cases; two had been exposed to patient A while on the Hanoi-Paris flight of March 22–23. Timely detection, isolation of probable cases, and quarantine of their contacts appear to have been effective in preventing the secondary spread of SARS in France.

A new surveillance system for undiagnosed serious infectious illness for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games

“…Examples, including the international spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and the influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 pandemic, illustrate that new and emerging infections can spread through major transport hubs in a matter of days [2,3]. Such new and emerging diseases can pose difficulties in diagnosis and may present as undiagnosed serious infectious illness (USII) [4].…”

Inhalation of expiratory droplets in aircraft cabins

“…The study assumed that all the passengers were seated all the time during the flight under a ventilation rate of 33.7 ACH. The study does not account for the inevitable movement of the passengers that can influence the particle transport (Desenclos et al., 2004; Ooi et al., 2010 and Poussou et al., 2010). The ventilation rate can vary based on takeoff, landing, and cruising (Mangili and Gendreau, 2005); this may influence the particle transportation.…”

Coronaviruses

“…The in-flight transmission of SARS was studied in a few reports. Two patients were exposed to a SARS patient in flight from Hanoi to Paris [28] and in other instances [29]. Development of SARS was related to the physical proximity to the index patient, SARS was reported in eight of 23 persons seated in the three rows in front of the index patient, and in 10 of the 88 persons seated elsewhere [27].…”