Epidemiological profiles of SARS-CoV and SARS-Cov-2 in Singapore and its promising containment strategies

Abstract

www.jogh.org • doi: 10.7189/jogh.11.03027 1 2021 • Vol. 11 • 03027 In 2002, a viral outbreak emerged from China (Guangdong province) which caused severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) that affected 29 countries with a total of 8422 cases and 916 deaths over the period of ten months (November 2002-August 2003) [1]. This outbreak was caused by an Orthocoronovirinae virus of the Coronaviridae family and was later termed as SARS-CoV. The disease caused by SARS-CoV was considered to be the first severe and readily transmissible outbreak in the 21st century [1]. The most SARS affected countries in 2002-2003 were China followed by Canada and Singapore. The transmission of SARS-CoV to Singapore occurred when a few tourists visited the country from Hong Kong and spread the virus [1]. In the SARS-2003 outbreak, the total number of cases reported in Singapore were 238 with the first case reported on 25 February 2003 to the last case reported on 5 May 2003 [1]. Singapore was able to contain the viral outbreak within four months of its inception.