Factors associated with nosocomial SARS-CoV transmission among healthcare workers in Hanoi, Vietnam, 2003

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In March of 2003, an outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) occurred in Northern Vietnam. This outbreak began when a traveler arriving from Hong Kong sought medical care at a small hospital (Hospital A) in Hanoi, initia...

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Main Authors: Leitmeyer Katrin C, Maloney Susan, Shah J Jina, Bausch Daniel G, Montgomery Joel M, Thu Vu Hoang, Anh Bach, Reynolds Mary G, Huy Vu Quang, Horby Peter, Plant Aileen J, Uyeki Timothy M
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2006-08-01
Series:BMC Public Health
Online Access:http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2458/6/207
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author Leitmeyer Katrin C
Maloney Susan
Shah J Jina
Bausch Daniel G
Montgomery Joel M
Thu Vu Hoang
Anh Bach
Reynolds Mary G
Huy Vu Quang
Horby Peter
Plant Aileen J
Uyeki Timothy M
author_facet Leitmeyer Katrin C
Maloney Susan
Shah J Jina
Bausch Daniel G
Montgomery Joel M
Thu Vu Hoang
Anh Bach
Reynolds Mary G
Huy Vu Quang
Horby Peter
Plant Aileen J
Uyeki Timothy M
author_sort Leitmeyer Katrin C
collection DOAJ
description <p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In March of 2003, an outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) occurred in Northern Vietnam. This outbreak began when a traveler arriving from Hong Kong sought medical care at a small hospital (Hospital A) in Hanoi, initiating a serious and substantial transmission event within the hospital, and subsequent limited spread within the community.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We surveyed Hospital A personnel for exposure to the index patient and for symptoms of disease during the outbreak. Additionally, serum specimens were collected and assayed for antibody to SARS-associated coronavirus (SARS-CoV) antibody and job-specific attack rates were calculated. A nested case-control analysis was performed to assess risk factors for acquiring SARS-CoV infection.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>One hundred and fifty-three of 193 (79.3%) clinical and non-clinical staff consented to participate. Excluding job categories with <3 workers, the highest SARS attack rates occurred among nurses who worked in the outpatient and inpatient general wards (57.1, 47.4%, respectively). Nurses assigned to the operating room/intensive care unit, experienced the lowest attack rates (7.1%) among all clinical staff. Serologic evidence of SARS-CoV infection was detected in 4 individuals, including 2 non-clinical workers, who had not previously been identified as SARS cases; none reported having had fever or cough. Entering the index patient's room and having seen (viewed) the patient were the behaviors associated with highest risk for infection by univariate analysis (odds ratios 20.0, 14.0; 95% confidence intervals 4.1–97.1, 3.6–55.3, respectively).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>This study highlights job categories and activities associated with increased risk for SARS-CoV infection and demonstrates that a broad diversity of hospital workers may be vulnerable during an outbreak. These findings may help guide recommendations for the protection of vulnerable occupational groups and may have implications for other respiratory infections such as influenza.</p>
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spelling doaj.art-b5a3ff1e053a47a8ae31e2ec242427c92022-12-22T01:18:05ZengBMCBMC Public Health1471-24582006-08-016120710.1186/1471-2458-6-207Factors associated with nosocomial SARS-CoV transmission among healthcare workers in Hanoi, Vietnam, 2003Leitmeyer Katrin CMaloney SusanShah J JinaBausch Daniel GMontgomery Joel MThu Vu HoangAnh BachReynolds Mary GHuy Vu QuangHorby PeterPlant Aileen JUyeki Timothy M<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In March of 2003, an outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) occurred in Northern Vietnam. This outbreak began when a traveler arriving from Hong Kong sought medical care at a small hospital (Hospital A) in Hanoi, initiating a serious and substantial transmission event within the hospital, and subsequent limited spread within the community.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We surveyed Hospital A personnel for exposure to the index patient and for symptoms of disease during the outbreak. Additionally, serum specimens were collected and assayed for antibody to SARS-associated coronavirus (SARS-CoV) antibody and job-specific attack rates were calculated. A nested case-control analysis was performed to assess risk factors for acquiring SARS-CoV infection.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>One hundred and fifty-three of 193 (79.3%) clinical and non-clinical staff consented to participate. Excluding job categories with <3 workers, the highest SARS attack rates occurred among nurses who worked in the outpatient and inpatient general wards (57.1, 47.4%, respectively). Nurses assigned to the operating room/intensive care unit, experienced the lowest attack rates (7.1%) among all clinical staff. Serologic evidence of SARS-CoV infection was detected in 4 individuals, including 2 non-clinical workers, who had not previously been identified as SARS cases; none reported having had fever or cough. Entering the index patient's room and having seen (viewed) the patient were the behaviors associated with highest risk for infection by univariate analysis (odds ratios 20.0, 14.0; 95% confidence intervals 4.1–97.1, 3.6–55.3, respectively).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>This study highlights job categories and activities associated with increased risk for SARS-CoV infection and demonstrates that a broad diversity of hospital workers may be vulnerable during an outbreak. These findings may help guide recommendations for the protection of vulnerable occupational groups and may have implications for other respiratory infections such as influenza.</p>http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2458/6/207
spellingShingle Leitmeyer Katrin C
Maloney Susan
Shah J Jina
Bausch Daniel G
Montgomery Joel M
Thu Vu Hoang
Anh Bach
Reynolds Mary G
Huy Vu Quang
Horby Peter
Plant Aileen J
Uyeki Timothy M
Factors associated with nosocomial SARS-CoV transmission among healthcare workers in Hanoi, Vietnam, 2003
BMC Public Health
title Factors associated with nosocomial SARS-CoV transmission among healthcare workers in Hanoi, Vietnam, 2003
title_full Factors associated with nosocomial SARS-CoV transmission among healthcare workers in Hanoi, Vietnam, 2003
title_fullStr Factors associated with nosocomial SARS-CoV transmission among healthcare workers in Hanoi, Vietnam, 2003
title_full_unstemmed Factors associated with nosocomial SARS-CoV transmission among healthcare workers in Hanoi, Vietnam, 2003
title_short Factors associated with nosocomial SARS-CoV transmission among healthcare workers in Hanoi, Vietnam, 2003
title_sort factors associated with nosocomial sars cov transmission among healthcare workers in hanoi vietnam 2003
url http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2458/6/207
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