'Severe acute respiratory syndrome' (SARS): epidemiologie, kliniek, diagnostiek en preventie

- Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is caused by a recently identified Coronavirus (SARS-CoV).

- The clinical symptoms are non-specific and during the first few days in particular, are not clinically distinguishable from those of many other viral or bacterial infections. The majority of infected patients develop pneumonia within a week of the first symptoms appearing.

- Since November 2002 the virus has spread from South China to almost 30 other countries, where about 8500 infected individuals have been registered; about 800 people have already died from the disease (9.5).

- The number of infected persons includes a noticeably high percentage of health workers. This fact underlines the importance of good infection prevention measures for each patient contact.

- The implementation of hygienic measures requires attention, because the infection of personnel in Toronto hospitals still occurred after the virus and transmission routes were known.

- It appears that transmission can be prevented with relatively simple precautions, as long as these are consistently implemented. Early recognition and isolation of a possible source are an essential part of this.

- SARS is a group A notifiable disease (report if suspected).

- In the Netherlands the general practitioner has a prominent role in assessing and treating individuals who are infected or might be infected with SARS-CoV. A protocol and a detailed action plan are available.

- In addition to this hospitals should be prepared for the initial reception of a patient with SARS, who presents directly to the outpatients' clinic or Casualty Department.