Thursday, March 27, 2003, 01:59 EST (1:59 AM EST)

CDCHAN-00130-03-03-27-ADV–N

Several healthcare workers have been reported to develop Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) after caring for patients with SARS. Although the infectivity and etiology of SARS currently are unknown, transmission to healthcare workers appears to have occurred after close contact with symptomatic individuals (e.g., persons with fever or respiratory symptoms) before recommended infection control precautions for SARS were implemented (i.e., unprotected exposures). Personal protective equipment appropriate for standard, contact, and airborne precautions (e.g., hand hygiene, gown, gloves, and N95 respirator), in addition to eye protection, have been recommended for healthcare workers to prevent transmission of SARS in healthcare settings (http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/sars/ic.htm). More general information on infection control in healthcare workers is available at http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/hip/GUIDE/infectcont98.htm.

CDC, in collaboration with state and local health departments, is developing a systematic approach for surveillance of SARS exposures and infection in healthcare workers for use by healthcare facilities. Additional information on surveillance materials will be forthcoming. Given the currently available information on the epidemiology of SAR S in the United States, the following outlines interim guidance for the management of exposures to SARS in a healthcare facility.

Health Alert Network (HAN)

United States