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. 2004 Feb;10(2):256-60.
doi: 10.3201/eid1002.030732.

Superspreading SARS events, Beijing, 2003

Zhuang Shen  1 , Fang Ning, Weigong Zhou, Xiong He, Changying Lin, Daniel P Chin, Zonghan Zhu, Anne Schuchat
Affiliations

Superspreading SARS events, Beijing, 2003

Zhuang Shen et al. Emerg Infect Dis. 2004 Feb.

Abstract

Superspreading events were pivotal in the global spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). We investigated superspreading in one transmission chain early in Beijing's epidemic. Superspreading was defined as transmission of SARS to at least eight contacts. An index patient with onset of SARS 2 months after hospital admission was the source of four generations of transmission to 76 case-patients, including 12 healthcare workers and several hospital visitors. Four (5%) case circumstances met the superspreading definition. Superspreading appeared to be associated with older age (mean 56 vs. 44 years), case fatality (75% vs. 16%, p = 0.02, Fisher exact test), number of close contacts (36 vs. 0.37) and attack rate among close contacts (43% vs. 18.5%, p < 0.025). Delayed recognition of SARS in a hospitalized patient permitted transmission to patients, visitors, and healthcare workers. Older age and number of contacts merit investigation in future studies of superspreading.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Epidemic curve of probable cases of severe acute respiratory syndrome, by date of onset of illness in one chain of transmission, Beijing 2003.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Probable cases of severe acute respiratory syndrome by source of transmission in chain of 77 cases in Beijing, 2003.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Number of direct secondary cases from probable cases of severe acute respiratory syndrome in one chain of transmission in Beijing, 2003.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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