Contact
1. A Contact refers to someone who has been in close proximity with an individual who is, or is suspected of being, infected with an infectious disease like influenza.
|
(Source: Business Continuity Management Institute - BCM Institute) |
2. A contact is a person who has been exposed to an influenza case during the infectious period (defined below). A close contact is a person who has cared for or lived with someone with influenza or has direct contact with respiratory secretions or body fluids of a patient with influenza. A person is considered a close contact if they kissed or hugged, shared eating or drinking utensils, talked within 3 feet, or touched a case directly. Close contact does not include activities such as walking by a person or sitting across a waiting room or office for a brief time.
(2006, Vermont Department of Health. Pandemic Influenza Preparedness and Response Plan)