Objetivo
The epidemic of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) showed that new infections spread by close contact are able to spread rapidly across international borders resulting in significant morbidity. They can even cause widespread public alarm and economic loss in unaffected countries. It is therefore critical to assess the likehood of similar occurrences and their possible impact on public health, economic performance and public concern.SarsControl aims to improve the public health response to emerging infections such as SARS through better knowledgeof the spread of these viruses, improved risk assenssment, mathematical modelling, economic analysis and risk communication stategies. All of these activities will be done in conjunction with policy-makers and key stake-holders in Europe,helping to improve the quality of decision-making.A database with all Sars cases from mainland Chaine in conjunction with WHO data will be used to help develop models for the local and geographical spread of SARS and influenza. A toolbox of models will be developed covering the range of alternative approaches, and by standardising epidemiological and control parameters, a consensus vieuw on model-based policy recommendations will be derived. These model results will be dombined with analyses of the micro- an d macro-economic consequences of SARS-like infections to evaluate the potential economic impact of different control options.Because the acceptance of interventions depends on social, cultural and psychological factors, SARS related risk perceptions an precautionary practices will be studied along with the risk communication strategies adopted during the outbreak to help improve future strategies for communicating with the public. Vulnerable communities, such as Chinese in Europe will receive particular attention. SarsControl is therefore an integrated multidisiplinary project to aid European policy on emerging infections.
Ámbito científico
- medical and health scienceshealth sciencespublic health
- natural sciencescomputer and information sciencesdatabases
- natural sciencesbiological sciencesmicrobiologyvirology
- medical and health scienceshealth sciencesinfectious diseasesRNA virusesinfluenza
- natural sciencesmathematicsapplied mathematicsmathematical model
Palabras clave
Convocatoria de propuestas
FP6-2003-SSP-2-SARS
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