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. 2005 Mar;9(2):77-85.
doi: 10.1016/j.ijid.2004.04.015.

SARS in Taiwan: an overview and lessons learned

Kow-Tong Chen  1 , Shiing-Jer Twu, Hsiao-Ling Chang, Yi-Chun Wu, Chu-Tzu Chen, Ting-Hsiang Lin, Sonja J Olsen, Scott F Dowell, Ih-Jen Su; Taiwan SARS Response Team
Affiliations

SARS in Taiwan: an overview and lessons learned

Kow-Tong Chen et al. Int J Infect Dis. 2005 Mar.

Abstract

Objectives: This report aims to describe the epidemiology of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in Taiwan between March and July 2003, and to examine the public health response.

Methods: Surveillance for SARS was initiated on 14 March 2003. Response activities are described for the isolation of patients; contact tracing; quarantine of contact persons; fever screening for inbound and outbound passengers at the airport; and hospital infection control as assessed by mobile SARS containment teams.

Results: Between 14 March and 30 July 2003 a total of 668 probable cases of SARS were reported. Of the 668 cases, 181 (27%) were fatal. Compared to the survivors, fatal cases were more likely to be older (p < 0.001), male (p < 0.05), exposed through hospital contact (p < 0.001), and have a coexisting medical disorder (p<0.001). Between 28 March and 30 July a total of 151,270 persons were quarantined. Among them, 46 (3.0/10,000) were subsequently classified as being probable SARS cases. At the time of the mobile team assessments, 46 (53%) hospitals had implemented WHO infection control recommendations.

Conclusions: In this outbreak, an emergency plan consisted of patient isolation and strict hospital infection control.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Number of cases and outcome of severe acute respiratory syndrome in Taiwan, February – July 2003.
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