Severe acute respiratory syndrome surveillance in Australia

Authors

  • James E Fielding Surveillance and Epidemiology Section, Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory; Communicable Disease Control Branch, Department of Human Services, Adelaide, South Australia; Master of Applied Epidemiology Program, National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory
  • Keflemar Yohannes Surveillance and Epidemiology Section, Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory
  • Hassan Vally Surveillance and Epidemiology Section, Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory; Master of Applied Epidemiology Program, National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory; Communicable Disease Control Branch, Health Department of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia
  • Jenean D Spencer Surveillance and Epidemiology Section, Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.33321/cdi.2004.28.15

Keywords:

severe acute respiratory syndrome, surveillance, influenza, Australia

Abstract

In March 2003, the World Health Organization (WHO) issued a global alert recommending active worldwide surveillance for severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). This paper describes the epidemiological features of cases reported by Australian states and territories to the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing between 17 March and 31 July 2003. There were 138 people investigated for SARS: 111 as suspect and 27 as probable. Five probable cases were reported to WHO after review of other possible diagnoses and Australia-specific exclusion criteria had been applied. An additional probable case identified by laboratory testing overseas, but who was not under investigation when in Australia, was also reported to WHO. The method by which surveillance for SARS was rapidly established provided an opportunity to examine Australia's planning and preparedness for future respiratory disease epidemics such as influenza. Commun Dis Intell 2004;28:181-186.

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References

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Published

30/06/04

How to Cite

Fielding, James E, Keflemar Yohannes, Hassan Vally, and Jenean D Spencer. 2004. “Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Surveillance in Australia”. Communicable Diseases Intelligence 28 (June):181-86. https://doi.org/10.33321/cdi.2004.28.15.

Issue

Vol. 28 (2004)

Section

Original article

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Copyright (c) 2004 Communicable Diseases Intelligence

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