Controlling Spread of SARS

Table of Contents

A. Isolation and Quarantine Requirements

In healthcare settings, suspected SARS patients should be immediately triaged and placed in airborne isolation, including negative pressure rooms.  Healthcare providers must wear masks (N95 if available), eye protection, gowns and gloves.

  • In some instances, contacts of SARS patients may be managed by using passive or active monitoring.  Monitoring consists of direct contact – by phone or in person – with the health department or a designee at least once a day to assess the affected person for symptoms and address any needs.  Frequent monitoring (e.g., twice a day) can reduce the interval between the onset of symptoms and the institution of precautions.  Passive monitoring relies on the affected person to contact health authorities if symptoms develop.  Persons with high-risk exposures (e.g., healthcare workers involved in aerosol-generating procedures on a SARS patient) may require activity restrictions in addition to monitoring.
  • Quarantine of contacts may be used during a large outbreak or in situations of high-risk exposures (e.g., if transmission from a particular case has been demonstrated by emergence of secondary cases among one or more contacts).

B. Protection of Contacts of a Case

All close contacts of SARS cases  should be in quarantine and should be advised to:

  • Be vigilant for fever (e.g., measure temperature twice a day), respiratory symptoms, and other symptoms of early SARS-CoV illness for 10 days after exposure.
  • Contact a designated health department staff member if symptoms develop so that clinical evaluation can be performed without delay.
  • Inform the healthcare provider in advance of a visit to a healthcare facility about possible exposure to SARS-CoV.

C. Managing Special Situations

Reported Incidence Is Higher than Usual/Outbreak Suspected

Refer to healthcare facility SARS plan or IDPH SARS Response Plan.

Exposure of a Laboratory Worker

  • Clinical laboratories performing routine hematology, urinalysis, and clinical chemistry studies, and microbiology laboratories performing diagnostic tests on serum, blood, or urine specimens, should follow standard laboratory practices, including standard precautions, when handling potential SARS-CoV specimens. For additional information, see www.osha.gov./SLTC/bloodbornepathogens/index.html
  • Microbiology and pathology laboratories performing diagnostic tests on stool or respiratory specimens should handle potential SARS-CoV specimens using standard Bio-safety Level (BSL)-2 work practices in a Class II biological safety cabinet.

SARS transmission has occurred in several researchers working with SARS virus.  All laboratorians must take appropriate precautions when handling specimens to be tested for SARS.  Send all specimens to SHL. Do not perform tests in the hospital laboratory.

D. Preventive Measures

Preventive Measures/Education

  • All healthcare providers should know and follow appropriate isolation precautions when caring for a suspect or confirmed SARS patient.
  • Contacts of SARS patients should be educated on signs and symptoms and who to contact should symptoms occur.
  • Isolation and quarantine should be instituted as indicated.


Iowa Dept. of Public Health, Reviewed 1/14