Student Role
Since the initial outbreak in 2003, SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) has been reported in Asia, North America, and Europe, and has now made its way to Epiville. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the World Health Organization (WHO), and local Department of Health (DOH) have all played essential roles in preventing a full-blown pandemic . A great deal of groundwork has been completed in our understanding of SARS in terms of its biology as well as the populations who are most at risk. The causal agent of SARS has been identified as a coronavirus , the genome of which has now been sequenced in its entirety. Subsequently, a diagnostic test has been developed which enables clinicians to distinguish patients with SARS from those with a similar set of respiratory symptoms. Such a test is essential in performing active surveillance to monitor the progression of the outbreak.
Intellectually curious?
Learn more about the diagnostic test developed for SARS
- Real-time polymerase chain reaction for detecting SARS coronavirus , Beijing, 2003, Zhai J, et al. Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Academy of Military Sciences, Beijing, China. Emerg Infect Dis. 2004 Feb;10(2):300-3.
You are now responsible for designing the optimal outbreak management plan. You are required to conduct a formal study of the Epiville outbreak by analyzing the case data which have been collected. All individuals suspected of having contact with SARS cases have been quarantined, and those having been diagnosed with the disease, isolated. Everyone in Epiville and the surrounding communities is on high alert.
Before proceeding to the study design, review the available information collected about SARS at the Epiville Department of Health website.
Intellectually curious?
Visit these websites for the latest SARS situation update, as well as guidelines, recommendations, and other resources.
