Model Parameters and Outbreak Control for SARS

Model Parameters and Outbreak Control for SARS

Gerardo Chowell, Carlos Castillo-Chavez, Paul W. Fenimore, Christopher M. Kribs-Zaleta, Leon Arriola, James M. Hyman

Control of the 2002–2003 severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) outbreak was based on rapid diagnosis coupled with effective patient isolation. We used uncertainty and sensitivity analysis of the basic reproductive number R0 to assess the role that model parameters play in outbreak control. The transmission rate and isolation effectiveness have the largest fractional effect on R0. We estimated the distribution of the reproductive number R0 under perfect isolation conditions. The distribution lies in the interquartile range 0.19–1.08, with a median of 0.49. Even though the median of R0 is 1, even with perfect isolation. This implies the need to simultaneously apply more than one method of control.

2004

SARS, uncertainty, Sensitivity, diagnosis, isolation, reproductive number

DOI: 10.3201/eid1007.030647

Emerging Infectious Diseases

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Infectious and parasitic diseases, Medicine

EN