Data on the outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) are
very important, especially when rapid spread and high morbidity indicates
high virulence of the agent involved. Unfortunately, data on health care
workers do not specify their duties at the hospital. The question arises
whether infection has also been transmitted to, e.g., laboratory personnel
which only is handling contaminated body fluids or excretions without
direct contact to affected patients.
Dietmar Fuchs
Institute of Medical Chemistry and Biochemistry,
University of Innsbruck
Rapid Response:
SARS transmission to health care workers
Data on the outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) are
very important, especially when rapid spread and high morbidity indicates
high virulence of the agent involved. Unfortunately, data on health care
workers do not specify their duties at the hospital. The question arises
whether infection has also been transmitted to, e.g., laboratory personnel
which only is handling contaminated body fluids or excretions without
direct contact to affected patients.
Dietmar Fuchs
Institute of Medical Chemistry and Biochemistry,
University of Innsbruck
Competing interests:
None declared
Competing interests: No competing interests