Lessons from campus outbreak management using test, trace, and isolate efforts
Nita Bharti1*, Cara Exten2, Valerie Fulton3, Robin Oliver-Veronesi3
1 Biology Department, Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics, Penn State University, University Park
2 College of Nursing, Penn State University, University Park
3 University Health Services, Penn State University, University Park
* corresponding author: nxb909@psu.edu, 814-863-9545, W-253 Millennium Science Complex, University Park, 16802
Keywords: contact tracing, college students, outbreak management, infectious disease, virus transmission
https://doi.org/10.26207/edj8-yc06
Summary
In 2017, Penn State University’s campus experienced a mumps outbreak coincided with unrelated restrictions on social gatherings. University Health Services implemented testing, contact tracing, and quarantine protocols. Approximately half of the supplied contact tracing information was usable, ~70% of identified contacts were reached, and <50% of those contacted complied with quarantine protocol. Students reported 5-10 contacts on average. Findings from this outbreak can inform future outbreak management on college campuses, including COVID-19.
Figure 1: Out of 85 cases, 81 participated in contact tracing (CT), half of the information supplied was usable, 70% of those contacts were reached, and half of those agreed to comply with quarantine guidelines.
