Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 7, 2025

Author Spotlight: Advancements in Multiplex Detection of Respiratory Viruses
Published on: November 10, 2023
First known COVID-19 case and contact tracing efforts in İstanbul, Turkey
Abdullah Emre Güner1, Aral Sürmeli2, Kemal Kural1
1Department of Public Health Services, İstanbul Health Directorate, İstanbul, Turkey
Background/Aim:
COVID-19 has now become a global pandemic. Understanding the routes of transmission is vital in the mitigation and suppression of the disease. İstanbul has become one of the disease’s epicenters. This study aims to describe the first COVID-19 case and contact tracing efforts around it in İstanbul.
Materials And Methods:
The descriptive study was conducted in İstanbul, Turkey. The first COVID-19 cases and those associated with them were investigated with contact tracing, and primary and secondary cases were described.
Results:
The source case was an individual who returned to Turkey from international travel at the beginning of March and tested PCR (–). The index case is the brother of the source case and is considered the first PCR (+) case diagnosed in İstanbul. Contact tracing revealed 23 PCR (+) cases, 14 of which resulted in hospitalization and three deaths.
Conclusions:
This study described cases of the first COVID-19 cluster in İstanbul. Moreover, contact tracing was used in this first cluster. This contributed to contact tracing algorithms in Turkey.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Steps in Outbreak Investigation
Transmission-based Precautions I: Contact, Enteric, and Droplets
Contact Precautions:
Contact precautions are the measures taken to prevent the transmission of infectious agents, especially epidemiologically important microorganisms such as MRSA or influenza, primarily transmitted through direct or indirect contact with an...
Pulmonary Tuberculosis V
Latent tuberculosis infection occurs when TB bacteria are present in a person's body, but are not causing illness or symptoms. It is not contagious, and preventive treatment is crucial to avoid the...
Pulmonary Tuberculosis I
Causative Organism
The primary infectious agent causing tuberculosis is Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a slow-growing, acid-fast, aerobic rod that exhibits sensitivity to heat and ultraviolet light. Instances of Mycobacterium bovis and Mycobacterium avium contributing to the development of TB infection are rare.
Mode of...
Infection
The chain begins with pathogens: bacteria, viruses, fungi, prions, or parasites such as protozoa helminths. These can be present on the skin as transient or resident flora, or they can be acquired from the environment. Identifying and treating the type of infection and...

