This document discusses an upcoming presentation on outbreak investigation. It begins with definitions of key terms like epidemic, outbreak, endemic, and pandemic. It then discusses determinants of disease outbreaks and types of epidemics. The objectives, steps, and examples of outbreak investigation are provided. Various factors related to outbreaks like incubation period, quarantine, herd immunity, and triggers for surveillance are defined.
The document describes the steps taken to investigate an outbreak of jaundice in Rohtak, India. People first noticed an unusual occurrence of jaundice cases that had not been seen in over 10 years. A house-to-house survey confirmed it was an outbreak. Laboratory tests of water samples found one-third failed orthotolidine tests and 3 of 5 samples had unsafe coliform counts. Additional observations revealed poor sanitation practices in the community that could have contributed to the spread of the disease.
The 10-step approach to outbreak investigations involves:
1) Identifying an investigation team and resources.
2) Establishing the existence of an outbreak.
3) Verifying the diagnosis, constructing a case definition, and finding cases systematically.
Descriptive epidemiology is then used to develop hypotheses, which are evaluated through additional studies if needed, before implementing control measures, communicating findings, and maintaining surveillance to confirm the outbreak has ended. Being systematic and following these steps is key to determining the source and controlling outbreaks.
This document discusses healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) and outbreak investigations. It defines key terms like clusters, outbreaks, and epidemics. It also outlines the reasons to investigate outbreaks, how to recognize them, and the goals and steps of investigations. The steps include defining cases, identifying cases, analyzing person, place and time factors, developing and evaluating hypotheses, implementing controls, and communicating findings. The overall purpose is to identify the cause of the outbreak and implement measures to control it.
1) The document discusses surveillance in public health and describes its key components and purposes. Surveillance involves the systematic collection, analysis, and interpretation of health data to provide information for action.
2) An effective surveillance system is simple, flexible, timely, and produces high-quality data. It addresses an important public health problem and accomplishes its objectives of understanding disease trends, detecting outbreaks, and evaluating control measures.
3) The document outlines how to establish a surveillance system, including selecting priority diseases, defining standard case definitions, and developing regular reporting and data dissemination processes. Both passive and active surveillance methods are described.
The unusual occurrence in a community or region of disease, specific health related behaviour (eg. Smoking) or other health related events (eg. Traffic accidents) clearly in excess of “expected occurrence.
This document provides an overview of epidemic investigation. It begins with definitions of key terms like epidemic, outbreak, endemic, and pandemic. It describes the objectives of epidemic investigation as defining the scope and identifying the causative agent. The steps in an investigation are outlined as verifying diagnoses, defining the population at risk, analyzing data, formulating hypotheses, and writing a report. Recent outbreaks around the world are briefly discussed.
This document discusses hospital outbreak investigations. It defines endemic and epidemic infections in hospitals. Common source and propagated epidemics are described. Steps in investigating outbreaks in hospitals and communities are provided, including forming an investigation team, developing a case definition, conducting epidemiological and laboratory analyses. The goals of outbreak investigations are outlined. Methods for confirming and controlling outbreaks are discussed.
The document describes the steps taken to investigate an outbreak of jaundice in Rohtak, India. People first noticed an unusual occurrence of jaundice cases that had not been seen in over 10 years. A house-to-house survey confirmed it was an outbreak. Laboratory tests of water samples found one-third failed orthotolidine tests and 3 of 5 samples had unsafe coliform counts. Additional observations revealed poor sanitation practices in the community that could have contributed to the spread of the disease.
The 10-step approach to outbreak investigations involves:
1) Identifying an investigation team and resources.
2) Establishing the existence of an outbreak.
3) Verifying the diagnosis, constructing a case definition, and finding cases systematically.
Descriptive epidemiology is then used to develop hypotheses, which are evaluated through additional studies if needed, before implementing control measures, communicating findings, and maintaining surveillance to confirm the outbreak has ended. Being systematic and following these steps is key to determining the source and controlling outbreaks.
This document discusses healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) and outbreak investigations. It defines key terms like clusters, outbreaks, and epidemics. It also outlines the reasons to investigate outbreaks, how to recognize them, and the goals and steps of investigations. The steps include defining cases, identifying cases, analyzing person, place and time factors, developing and evaluating hypotheses, implementing controls, and communicating findings. The overall purpose is to identify the cause of the outbreak and implement measures to control it.
1) The document discusses surveillance in public health and describes its key components and purposes. Surveillance involves the systematic collection, analysis, and interpretation of health data to provide information for action.
2) An effective surveillance system is simple, flexible, timely, and produces high-quality data. It addresses an important public health problem and accomplishes its objectives of understanding disease trends, detecting outbreaks, and evaluating control measures.
3) The document outlines how to establish a surveillance system, including selecting priority diseases, defining standard case definitions, and developing regular reporting and data dissemination processes. Both passive and active surveillance methods are described.
The unusual occurrence in a community or region of disease, specific health related behaviour (eg. Smoking) or other health related events (eg. Traffic accidents) clearly in excess of “expected occurrence.
This document provides an overview of epidemic investigation. It begins with definitions of key terms like epidemic, outbreak, endemic, and pandemic. It describes the objectives of epidemic investigation as defining the scope and identifying the causative agent. The steps in an investigation are outlined as verifying diagnoses, defining the population at risk, analyzing data, formulating hypotheses, and writing a report. Recent outbreaks around the world are briefly discussed.
This document discusses hospital outbreak investigations. It defines endemic and epidemic infections in hospitals. Common source and propagated epidemics are described. Steps in investigating outbreaks in hospitals and communities are provided, including forming an investigation team, developing a case definition, conducting epidemiological and laboratory analyses. The goals of outbreak investigations are outlined. Methods for confirming and controlling outbreaks are discussed.
An epidemic occurs when there is an unusual increase in the occurrence of a disease within a community or region beyond what is normally expected. To determine if an epidemic has occurred, one must consider the magnitude of cases, factors responsible, and cause/mode of transmission. Investigating an epidemic involves 10 steps: 1) verifying diagnoses, 2) confirming the epidemic's existence, 3) defining the at-risk population, 4) rapidly searching for all case characteristics, 5) analyzing data, 6) formulating hypotheses, 7) testing hypotheses, 8) evaluating ecological factors, 9) further investigating the at-risk population, and 10) writing a report of the background, methodology, data analysis, and control recommendations.
The document defines key terms related to epidemics such as epidemic, endemic, outbreak, sporadic, and pandemic. It discusses the iceberg concept of infectious disease and explains that only a small portion of cases are clinically apparent. The levels of response to different disease triggers are outlined. The document also covers the objectives and steps of an epidemic investigation including developing a case definition, confirming the existence of an epidemic, defining the population at risk, rapidly searching for cases, analyzing data through epidemiological curves, and formulating and testing hypotheses. Control measures and the importance of forecasting and preventing future epidemics are also summarized.
Screening tests aim to identify unrecognized disease in apparently healthy individuals. They differ from diagnostic tests in that they are applied to groups rather than individuals, use a single criterion, and are less accurate. Validity refers to a test's accuracy while reliability is its precision on repeat tests. Sensitivity measures a test's ability to identify true positives, and specificity measures its ability to identify true negatives. Screening programs must consider factors like disease burden, test characteristics, and whether early detection improves outcomes.
Social and Preventive Medicine Classroom discussion topic on types of Epidemiological study designs available.
sole reference is Park text book 20th edition
An epidemic curve (or epi curve) is a graphical depiction of the number of illness cases by date of onset that can help characterize outbreaks. The shape and features of the curve can reveal the pattern of spread (e.g. common source, point source, propagated), magnitude, outliers, time trends, and estimate the exposure period. Epi curves are useful for outbreak investigation and response.
The document discusses the management of epidemics through various steps including forecasting, investigation, and control. It describes how forecasting involves studying past disease trends to predict future outbreaks. Investigation aims to define the scope of an epidemic by confirming diagnoses, identifying the at-risk population, and screening affected areas. Control methods center around removing infection sources, preventing transmission, and vector control such as mosquito elimination. The overall management of epidemics requires coordinated preparedness, surveillance, health education, and preventive measures to contain disease spread and severity.
This document discusses the concepts of association and causation in epidemiology. It defines key terms like correlation, relative risk, odds ratio, and attributable risk which are used to measure the strength of association between different factors. It also differentiates between association and causation, explaining that correlation does not necessarily imply causation. The document outlines different types of causal relationships like necessary and sufficient, necessary but not sufficient, and neither necessary nor sufficient. It also discusses approaches used to study disease etiology and evaluate evidence for a causal relationship.
This document discusses epidemics and their management. It defines epidemics and outlines three types: common source, propagated, and slow or modern. The severity of an epidemic depends on environmental conditions, host population characteristics, and human behavior. Managing epidemics involves forecasting, investigating, controlling, and preventing future occurrences. Forecasting allows preparation, while investigation identifies causes and transmission. Control relies on removing infection sources and preventing transmission. Prevention emphasizes hygiene, vaccination, and environmental measures. Preparedness is key to effectively managing epidemics.
This document discusses disease screening and provides information on various aspects of screening programs and tests. It defines screening as actively searching for unrecognized disease in apparently healthy individuals using simple tests. The key points are:
- Screening is part of secondary prevention and aims to detect diseases early when they may be still curable. It involves testing populations, not individuals with symptoms.
- An ideal screening test is both highly sensitive and specific, but in practice these factors typically have an inverse relationship. Sensitivity and specificity can be adjusted by changing the test cutoff criteria.
- For a screening program to be effective, the disease must be an important health problem that can be detected early and treated effectively to improve outcomes. The screening test
Epidemiology is the study and analysis of the patterns, causes, and effects of health and disease conditions in defined populations. It is the cornerstone of public health, and shapes policy decisions and evidence-based practice by identifying risk factors for disease and targets for preventive healthcare. Epidemiologists help with study design, collection, and statistical analysis of data, amend interpretation and dissemination of results (including peer review and occasional systematic review). Epidemiology has helped develop methodology used in clinical research, public health studies, and, to a lesser extent, basic research in the biological sciences
Observingthedistributionofdiseaseorhealth related events in human population.
• Identify the characteristics with which the disease is associated.
• Basically 3 questions are asked who, when and where.
• Who means the person affected, where means the place and when is the time distribution.
Epidemiology is the study of disease distribution and determinants in populations. Descriptive epidemiology involves describing disease patterns, while analytical epidemiology tests hypotheses about disease determinants. A case-control study compares exposures in individuals with (cases) and without (controls) a disease to identify potential risk factors. It proceeds backwards from effect to cause by first identifying cases and then finding controls to measure past exposures, which are then analyzed using measures like odds ratios.
Descriptive epidemiology is the first phase of epidemiological investigation which aims to observe disease distribution in a population and identify characteristics associated with disease. It involves defining the population and disease, describing disease occurrence by time, place and person, measuring disease burden, comparing data to indices, and formulating hypotheses about potential causes. Key aspects include examining time trends, geographical variation, and characteristics of individuals with disease like age and sex. The goal is to understand basic features of a health problem and generate ideas about causal factors.
This document discusses various epidemiological terms used to measure disease frequency and distribution in a population. It defines rate, ratio, and proportion as different ways of comparing two quantities, with rate expressing the occurrence of an event over time, ratio comparing the relative sizes or values of two quantities without a time component, and proportion expressing one quantity as a percentage of the whole. It also defines various epidemiological measures including incidence, prevalence, attack rate, case fatality rate, and different types of mortality rates.
This document discusses disease surveillance and the concept of a public health ecosystem. It describes key aspects of public health including promoting healthy lifestyles, researching disease prevention, and controlling infectious diseases. Disease surveillance is highlighted as a core public health function. An ideal public health information ecosystem is proposed, with different components like surveillance, immunization, and environmental health. The document explores what disease surveillance entails and presents the idea of a disease surveillance ecosystem that brings together different stakeholders like epidemiologists, nurses, and laboratory staff. It addresses current gaps and ways to prioritize and fill them. Finally, it considers exercises around building an ideal disease surveillance team and responding to syndromic surveillance alerts.
This document discusses various measures used to quantify mortality and morbidity. It defines key terms like rates, ratios, proportions and describes different types of mortality and morbidity measures including crude death rates, cause-specific mortality rates, life expectancy, years of life lost, and others. It also discusses methods to adjust rates to account for factors like age and sex, and aggregate measures that combine mortality and morbidity data.
Incidence and prevalence measures provide information about disease frequency and burden in populations. Prevalence describes the proportion of people with a disease at a point in time, while incidence refers to the number of new cases that develop over time. Both measures can be stratified by person, place, and time to gain insights into a disease's pathogenesis and development.
This document discusses the dynamics of disease transmission. It defines a reservoir as any living or non-living carrier that harbors an infectious agent. It identifies humans and animals as important reservoirs that can be clinical cases, subclinical carriers, or latent carriers. Diseases are transmitted either directly from person to person via contact or droplets, or indirectly via vectors like flies or fomites. A susceptible host is one that can be infected through a portal of entry, have the disease incubate at a site of election, and potentially transmit through a portal of exit if their immunity is low enough.
This document discusses experimental epidemiology and randomized controlled trials. It defines experimental epidemiology as a model epidemiological method that allows direct control and manipulation of study conditions. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involve deliberate intervention or withdrawal in experimental and control groups to observe outcomes. Some key points made include that RCTs provide the strongest evidence of causality but are not always possible or ethical. The document reviews examples of early non-randomized experimental studies in animals and humans and the role of randomization in improving validity. It describes different types of experimental studies and notes alternatives to RCTs such as natural experiments when direct randomization is not feasible.
This document provides an overview of public health surveillance. It defines surveillance as the ongoing collection, analysis, and interpretation of health data to inform public health programs and actions. The document outlines the historical origins of surveillance dating back to ancient Greece. It describes various types of surveillance including community-level surveillance, routine reporting systems, active and passive surveillance, sentinel surveillance, and surveys. It also discusses the integrated disease surveillance program in India and how it aims to strengthen surveillance systems at the state and district levels.
The document summarizes a term paper on public health surveillance in Nepal. It discusses the objectives, methodology, findings and conclusions of the paper. The key points are: public health surveillance involves ongoing collection and analysis of health data to guide public health practice; Nepal has integrated disease surveillance within its health management information system; and the country was commended for its efficient AFP surveillance and polio eradication efforts while still needing to address potential wild poliovirus circulation.
Surveillance involves the systematic collection, analysis, and use of health data for decision-making. It serves as an early warning system and monitors the impact of interventions. There are different types of surveillance including community-based, hospital-based, and active/passive surveillance. Community-based surveillance engages community members to detect and report health events. Hospital-based surveillance relies on regular reporting from hospitals. Active surveillance actively seeks out cases, while passive surveillance waits for cases to be reported. The appropriate surveillance method depends on the context and challenges.
An epidemic occurs when there is an unusual increase in the occurrence of a disease within a community or region beyond what is normally expected. To determine if an epidemic has occurred, one must consider the magnitude of cases, factors responsible, and cause/mode of transmission. Investigating an epidemic involves 10 steps: 1) verifying diagnoses, 2) confirming the epidemic's existence, 3) defining the at-risk population, 4) rapidly searching for all case characteristics, 5) analyzing data, 6) formulating hypotheses, 7) testing hypotheses, 8) evaluating ecological factors, 9) further investigating the at-risk population, and 10) writing a report of the background, methodology, data analysis, and control recommendations.
The document defines key terms related to epidemics such as epidemic, endemic, outbreak, sporadic, and pandemic. It discusses the iceberg concept of infectious disease and explains that only a small portion of cases are clinically apparent. The levels of response to different disease triggers are outlined. The document also covers the objectives and steps of an epidemic investigation including developing a case definition, confirming the existence of an epidemic, defining the population at risk, rapidly searching for cases, analyzing data through epidemiological curves, and formulating and testing hypotheses. Control measures and the importance of forecasting and preventing future epidemics are also summarized.
Screening tests aim to identify unrecognized disease in apparently healthy individuals. They differ from diagnostic tests in that they are applied to groups rather than individuals, use a single criterion, and are less accurate. Validity refers to a test's accuracy while reliability is its precision on repeat tests. Sensitivity measures a test's ability to identify true positives, and specificity measures its ability to identify true negatives. Screening programs must consider factors like disease burden, test characteristics, and whether early detection improves outcomes.
Social and Preventive Medicine Classroom discussion topic on types of Epidemiological study designs available.
sole reference is Park text book 20th edition
An epidemic curve (or epi curve) is a graphical depiction of the number of illness cases by date of onset that can help characterize outbreaks. The shape and features of the curve can reveal the pattern of spread (e.g. common source, point source, propagated), magnitude, outliers, time trends, and estimate the exposure period. Epi curves are useful for outbreak investigation and response.
The document discusses the management of epidemics through various steps including forecasting, investigation, and control. It describes how forecasting involves studying past disease trends to predict future outbreaks. Investigation aims to define the scope of an epidemic by confirming diagnoses, identifying the at-risk population, and screening affected areas. Control methods center around removing infection sources, preventing transmission, and vector control such as mosquito elimination. The overall management of epidemics requires coordinated preparedness, surveillance, health education, and preventive measures to contain disease spread and severity.
This document discusses the concepts of association and causation in epidemiology. It defines key terms like correlation, relative risk, odds ratio, and attributable risk which are used to measure the strength of association between different factors. It also differentiates between association and causation, explaining that correlation does not necessarily imply causation. The document outlines different types of causal relationships like necessary and sufficient, necessary but not sufficient, and neither necessary nor sufficient. It also discusses approaches used to study disease etiology and evaluate evidence for a causal relationship.
This document discusses epidemics and their management. It defines epidemics and outlines three types: common source, propagated, and slow or modern. The severity of an epidemic depends on environmental conditions, host population characteristics, and human behavior. Managing epidemics involves forecasting, investigating, controlling, and preventing future occurrences. Forecasting allows preparation, while investigation identifies causes and transmission. Control relies on removing infection sources and preventing transmission. Prevention emphasizes hygiene, vaccination, and environmental measures. Preparedness is key to effectively managing epidemics.
This document discusses disease screening and provides information on various aspects of screening programs and tests. It defines screening as actively searching for unrecognized disease in apparently healthy individuals using simple tests. The key points are:
- Screening is part of secondary prevention and aims to detect diseases early when they may be still curable. It involves testing populations, not individuals with symptoms.
- An ideal screening test is both highly sensitive and specific, but in practice these factors typically have an inverse relationship. Sensitivity and specificity can be adjusted by changing the test cutoff criteria.
- For a screening program to be effective, the disease must be an important health problem that can be detected early and treated effectively to improve outcomes. The screening test
Epidemiology is the study and analysis of the patterns, causes, and effects of health and disease conditions in defined populations. It is the cornerstone of public health, and shapes policy decisions and evidence-based practice by identifying risk factors for disease and targets for preventive healthcare. Epidemiologists help with study design, collection, and statistical analysis of data, amend interpretation and dissemination of results (including peer review and occasional systematic review). Epidemiology has helped develop methodology used in clinical research, public health studies, and, to a lesser extent, basic research in the biological sciences
Observingthedistributionofdiseaseorhealth related events in human population.
• Identify the characteristics with which the disease is associated.
• Basically 3 questions are asked who, when and where.
• Who means the person affected, where means the place and when is the time distribution.
Epidemiology is the study of disease distribution and determinants in populations. Descriptive epidemiology involves describing disease patterns, while analytical epidemiology tests hypotheses about disease determinants. A case-control study compares exposures in individuals with (cases) and without (controls) a disease to identify potential risk factors. It proceeds backwards from effect to cause by first identifying cases and then finding controls to measure past exposures, which are then analyzed using measures like odds ratios.
Descriptive epidemiology is the first phase of epidemiological investigation which aims to observe disease distribution in a population and identify characteristics associated with disease. It involves defining the population and disease, describing disease occurrence by time, place and person, measuring disease burden, comparing data to indices, and formulating hypotheses about potential causes. Key aspects include examining time trends, geographical variation, and characteristics of individuals with disease like age and sex. The goal is to understand basic features of a health problem and generate ideas about causal factors.
This document discusses various epidemiological terms used to measure disease frequency and distribution in a population. It defines rate, ratio, and proportion as different ways of comparing two quantities, with rate expressing the occurrence of an event over time, ratio comparing the relative sizes or values of two quantities without a time component, and proportion expressing one quantity as a percentage of the whole. It also defines various epidemiological measures including incidence, prevalence, attack rate, case fatality rate, and different types of mortality rates.
This document discusses disease surveillance and the concept of a public health ecosystem. It describes key aspects of public health including promoting healthy lifestyles, researching disease prevention, and controlling infectious diseases. Disease surveillance is highlighted as a core public health function. An ideal public health information ecosystem is proposed, with different components like surveillance, immunization, and environmental health. The document explores what disease surveillance entails and presents the idea of a disease surveillance ecosystem that brings together different stakeholders like epidemiologists, nurses, and laboratory staff. It addresses current gaps and ways to prioritize and fill them. Finally, it considers exercises around building an ideal disease surveillance team and responding to syndromic surveillance alerts.
This document discusses various measures used to quantify mortality and morbidity. It defines key terms like rates, ratios, proportions and describes different types of mortality and morbidity measures including crude death rates, cause-specific mortality rates, life expectancy, years of life lost, and others. It also discusses methods to adjust rates to account for factors like age and sex, and aggregate measures that combine mortality and morbidity data.
Incidence and prevalence measures provide information about disease frequency and burden in populations. Prevalence describes the proportion of people with a disease at a point in time, while incidence refers to the number of new cases that develop over time. Both measures can be stratified by person, place, and time to gain insights into a disease's pathogenesis and development.
This document discusses the dynamics of disease transmission. It defines a reservoir as any living or non-living carrier that harbors an infectious agent. It identifies humans and animals as important reservoirs that can be clinical cases, subclinical carriers, or latent carriers. Diseases are transmitted either directly from person to person via contact or droplets, or indirectly via vectors like flies or fomites. A susceptible host is one that can be infected through a portal of entry, have the disease incubate at a site of election, and potentially transmit through a portal of exit if their immunity is low enough.
This document discusses experimental epidemiology and randomized controlled trials. It defines experimental epidemiology as a model epidemiological method that allows direct control and manipulation of study conditions. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involve deliberate intervention or withdrawal in experimental and control groups to observe outcomes. Some key points made include that RCTs provide the strongest evidence of causality but are not always possible or ethical. The document reviews examples of early non-randomized experimental studies in animals and humans and the role of randomization in improving validity. It describes different types of experimental studies and notes alternatives to RCTs such as natural experiments when direct randomization is not feasible.
This document provides an overview of public health surveillance. It defines surveillance as the ongoing collection, analysis, and interpretation of health data to inform public health programs and actions. The document outlines the historical origins of surveillance dating back to ancient Greece. It describes various types of surveillance including community-level surveillance, routine reporting systems, active and passive surveillance, sentinel surveillance, and surveys. It also discusses the integrated disease surveillance program in India and how it aims to strengthen surveillance systems at the state and district levels.
The document summarizes a term paper on public health surveillance in Nepal. It discusses the objectives, methodology, findings and conclusions of the paper. The key points are: public health surveillance involves ongoing collection and analysis of health data to guide public health practice; Nepal has integrated disease surveillance within its health management information system; and the country was commended for its efficient AFP surveillance and polio eradication efforts while still needing to address potential wild poliovirus circulation.
Surveillance involves the systematic collection, analysis, and use of health data for decision-making. It serves as an early warning system and monitors the impact of interventions. There are different types of surveillance including community-based, hospital-based, and active/passive surveillance. Community-based surveillance engages community members to detect and report health events. Hospital-based surveillance relies on regular reporting from hospitals. Active surveillance actively seeks out cases, while passive surveillance waits for cases to be reported. The appropriate surveillance method depends on the context and challenges.
This document discusses public health surveillance. It begins by defining surveillance and its main components, which include the ongoing collection and analysis of health data to facilitate disease prevention and control. The document then lists the main uses of surveillance data, such as estimating disease burden and evaluating programs. It describes three main sources of surveillance data: individuals, healthcare providers, and environmental conditions. The document outlines the five main steps of surveillance and discusses selecting health problems for surveillance based on factors like disease severity. It also describes different data collection methods, like notifications, surveys, and disease registries. In closing, it outlines the flow of surveillance information between data providers, analysts, and those responsible for public health response and decision-making.
There are several types of surveillance systems that monitor different areas. Security surveillance systems monitor changes within an assigned field using tools like video recordings and data analysis to alert of unwanted events. Health surveillance systems like those used by the WHO and schools monitor disease trends and outbreaks by collecting data from various sources. Home security cameras and sensors are also a type of smaller-scale surveillance system that monitors personal property. Weather surveillance systems use instruments like satellites and sensors to collect weather data and develop forecasts as well as monitor changes in weather patterns.
This document discusses different types of surveillance including electronic, computer, audio, visual, and biometric surveillance. It provides examples of various surveillance methods such as electronic article surveillance, social network analysis, wiretapping, red light cameras, and gait analysis. The document also discusses debates around surveillance powers and technologies used by law enforcement.
1. The document defines key epidemiological terms like epidemic, outbreak, endemic, pandemic, herd immunity, incubation period, and quarantine. It also describes different types of epidemics such as point source, propagated, and continuous exposure epidemics.
2. The stages of outbreak investigation are outlined which include verifying the diagnosis, confirming the outbreak, defining the population at risk, conducting a rapid search for cases, analyzing the data, formulating hypotheses, and reporting findings.
3. Trigger levels for different diseases are discussed to determine the appropriate response level based on the number and severity of cases. Line listing of cases is also described as a tool to collect epidemiological information during an outbreak investigation.
The document discusses communicable diseases, their causes, definitions, outbreaks, transmission, prevention and control. It defines key terms like epidemic, endemic, pandemic, host, carrier, reservoir, vector, immunity and modes of transmission. It outlines steps for managing disease outbreaks including preparation, detection, response and evaluation. It also discusses emerging/reemerging diseases and global disease eradication efforts. Nurses play an important role in communicable disease control through health education, surveillance and working with at-risk communities.
The document provides guidance on conducting an epidemiological investigation of an epidemic, outlining the objectives, team roles and responsibilities, and steps of an investigation which include establishing the existence of an outbreak, verifying diagnoses, constructing a case definition, systematically finding and recording information on cases, developing and evaluating hypotheses, and implementing control measures. The goal of an epidemic investigation is to understand the factors driving the outbreak in order to control spread and prevent future occurrences.
Hippocrates in the 5th century BC first suggested that human disease may be related to environmental factors. The concepts of epidemiology were later formally defined as the study of disease distribution, patterns, and determinants in populations. John Graunt in 1662 was the first to conduct a quantitative analysis of disease patterns by studying birth and death records in London. John Snow in 1850 used epidemiological methods to test the hypothesis that cholera was transmitted via contaminated water.
The document provides an introduction to epidemiology, defining it as the study of health-related states and events in populations and the application of this study to control health problems. It describes the purposes and uses of epidemiology, the 5Ws (who, what, when, where, why), categories of descriptive and analytic epidemiology, and levels of disease occurrence such as endemic, epidemic, sporadic, and pandemic. The document aims to outline key concepts in epidemiology for learning objectives.
Epidemiology is the study of disease distribution and determinants in populations. It aims to describe disease distribution, identify risk factors, and provide data to prevent and control disease. Key concepts include measuring disease frequency through rates, examining disease distribution by time, place and person, and identifying disease determinants and causes. Epidemiology is used to study disease trends over time, diagnose community health issues, plan and evaluate health services, assess individual disease risks, further the natural history of disease, and search for disease causes and risk factors.
Epidemiology is the study of disease distribution and determinants in populations. It aims to describe disease distribution, identify risk factors, and provide data to prevent and control disease. Key concepts include measuring disease frequency through rates, examining disease distribution by time, place and person, and identifying disease determinants and risk factors. Epidemiology is used to study disease trends over time, diagnose community health issues, plan and evaluate health services, assess individual disease risks, further the natural history of disease, and search for disease causes.
This document provides information on disease outbreaks and epidemiology. It defines key terms like epidemic, endemic, pandemic, seasonal variation, and chance. It also describes factors involved in infection transmission including the agent, host, and environment. The document outlines types of transmission, periods of infectious diseases, types of outbreaks, elements of disease control, steps in outbreak investigation including case confirmation and description, and components of an investigation report.
This document defines key concepts in epidemiology. It begins by defining epidemiology as the study of disease distribution and determinants among populations. It then discusses the aims of epidemiology according to the International Epidemiological Association. This includes describing disease distribution and magnitude, identifying risk factors, and providing data to plan, implement, and evaluate disease prevention and control services. The document also covers the scope, uses, and terminologies of epidemiology such as infection, contamination, endemic, epidemic, and pandemic.
This document discusses epidemiology and describes various epidemiological study designs used to determine disease etiology and distribution. Descriptive epidemiology involves studying disease distribution by person, place and time, while analytic epidemiology aims to explain disease occurrence. Common study designs include descriptive studies like case reports and cross-sectional surveys, as well as analytic observational studies like case-control and cohort studies and experimental randomized controlled trials. The key steps in epidemiological investigations and considerations for assessing causal relationships are also outlined.
This document discusses epidemiology, which is the study of the distribution and determinants of health and disease in populations. It covers the components, characteristics, and types of epidemiology studies. Descriptive epidemiology involves studying disease distribution by person, place, and time variables. Analytic epidemiology uses epidemiologic methods to explain disease occurrence and identify causal mechanisms. Key topics include descriptive variables, temporal variations, community diagnosis, epidemics, and determination of disease etiology through descriptive and analytical studies.
This document discusses epidemiology, which is the study of the distribution and determinants of health and disease in populations. It covers the components, characteristics, and types of epidemiology studies. Descriptive epidemiology involves studying disease distribution by person, place, and time variables. Analytic epidemiology uses epidemiologic methods to explain disease occurrence and identify causal mechanisms. Key topics include descriptive variables, temporal variations, community diagnosis, epidemics, and determination of disease etiology through descriptive and analytical studies.
This document provides an introduction to epidemiology. It defines epidemiology as the study of disease patterns in human populations and the factors that influence health. It discusses key epidemiological terms like reservoirs, modes of transmission, incidence, prevalence, and the epidemiological triad model of disease causation. The objectives and uses of epidemiology are described, including identifying disease determinants, planning health programs, and evaluating effectiveness. Important epidemiological concepts like endemic, pandemic, epidemic, carriers, and outbreaks are also defined.
Epidemiology is the study of the distribution and determinants of health-related states or events in populations and the application of this study to control health problems. The epidemiological triad consists of an agent, host, and environment. Communicable diseases are transmitted from one host to another through various modes of transmission. Key aspects of epidemiology include reservoirs, portals of exit, modes of transmission, incubation periods, and susceptible hosts. Prevention strategies include primordial, primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention to promote health and prevent disease at different stages.
This document provides an introduction to epidemiology. It defines epidemiology as the study of the distribution and determinants of health-related states or events in specified populations, and the application of this study to control health problems. It discusses key epidemiological concepts such as disease frequency, distribution, and determinants. It also covers epidemiological study designs, measures of disease occurrence such as rates, ratios and proportions, and how epidemiology compares groups to identify risk factors and test hypotheses about disease causation.
This document provides an overview of key epidemiological concepts. It defines epidemiology as the study of disease occurrence and distribution in populations. Descriptive epidemiology describes the characteristics of disease, such as who is affected and where and when diseases occur. Analytical epidemiology searches for the causes and determinants of disease. The epidemiological triad model of disease causation includes an agent, host, and environment. The document also outlines the uses of epidemiology in public health and describes the components of the epidemiological triad.
This document provides an overview of key concepts in epidemiology. It defines epidemiology and its components of study, distribution, determinants and health-related states or events. It describes epidemiological terminology including infection, contamination, infestation and different types of disease occurrence. It also outlines the epidemiological triad of agent, host and environment factors, modes of disease transmission, measurement tools and levels of disease prevention.
This document provides an introduction to epidemiology. It defines epidemiology as the study of health-related states and events in populations and applying this to control health problems. Epidemiology is used to assess community health, identify new diseases, monitor existing diseases, and evaluate control measures. The five Ws of epidemiology are the clinical aspects (what), descriptive epidemiology (who, where, when), and analytic epidemiology (why, how). Descriptive studies overview patterns of occurrence while analytic studies assess disease determinants. Diseases are also classified by their levels of occurrence as endemic, epidemic, sporadic, or pandemic based on how many people are affected and whether the disease is a new outbreak or constant presence.
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𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐈𝐂𝐓 𝐢𝐧 𝐞𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧:
Students will be able to explain the role and impact of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in education. They will understand how ICT tools, such as computers, the internet, and educational software, enhance learning and teaching processes. By exploring various ICT applications, students will recognize how these technologies facilitate access to information, improve communication, support collaboration, and enable personalized learning experiences.
𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐮𝐬𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐬𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐭:
-Students will be able to discuss what constitutes reliable sources on the internet. They will learn to identify key characteristics of trustworthy information, such as credibility, accuracy, and authority. By examining different types of online sources, students will develop skills to evaluate the reliability of websites and content, ensuring they can distinguish between reputable information and misinformation.
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Are you worried about your preparation for the UiPath Power Platform Functional Consultant Certification Exam? You can come to DumpsBase to download the latest UiPath UIPATH-ADPV1 exam dumps (V11.02) to evaluate your preparation for the UIPATH-ADPV1 exam with the PDF format and testing engine software. The latest UiPath UIPATH-ADPV1 exam questions and answers go over every subject on the exam so you can easily understand them. You won't need to worry about passing the UIPATH-ADPV1 exam if you master all of these UiPath UIPATH-ADPV1 dumps (V11.02) of DumpsBase. #UIPATH-ADPV1 Dumps #UIPATH-ADPV1 #UIPATH-ADPV1 Exam Dumps
CapTechTalks Webinar Slides June 2024 Donovan Wright.pptxCapitolTechU
Slides from a Capitol Technology University webinar held June 20, 2024. The webinar featured Dr. Donovan Wright, presenting on the Department of Defense Digital Transformation.
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BỘ BÀI TẬP TEST THEO UNIT - FORM 2025 - TIẾNG ANH 12 GLOBAL SUCCESS - KÌ 1 (B...
outbreak investigation - types of epidemics and investigating them
1. Presented by: Dr. Timiresh Kumar Das
Moderator: Dr. Neelam Roy
Associate Professor
Dept. of Community Medicine
VMMC & Safdarjung Hospital
2. Definitions
Determinants of disease outbreaks
Types of epidemics
Objectives of investigation of outbreak/ epidemic
Steps of outbreak investigation
Some examples
References
3. Epidemic: [Greek: epi (upon) demos (the people)]
The occurrence in a community or region of cases of an
illness, specific health related behaviour, or other health
related events clearly in excess of normal expectancy.1
A Dictionary of Epidemiology – 3rd ed; Last JM. 2000.
The “unusual” occurrence in a community or region of
disease, specific health related behaviour, or other health
related events clearly in excess of “expected occurrences”.2
Park’s Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine – 21st ed; Park JE. 2010
The occurrence in a community or region of a group of
illnesses of similar nature, clearly in excess of normal
expectancy, and derived from a common or from a
propagated source.3
Epidemiology – 4th ed; Gordis L. 2004
4. Outbreak:
An epidemic limited to a localised increase in the incidence
of a disease, e.g., in a village, town, or closed institution. (=
upsurge)1
A Dictionary of Epidemiology – 3rd ed; Last JM. 2000.
A term used for a small, usually localised epidemic in the
interest of minimising public alarm.2
Park’s Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine – 21st ed; Park JE. 2010
An outbreak is the occurrence of illness, specific health
related behaviour, or other event clearly in excess of
normal expectancy in a community in a specified time
period. An outbreak is limited or localised to a village,
town, or closed institution.4
Checklist for CRRT for outbreak investigation, NICD 2008
5. According to the Oxford Textbook of Public Health the criteria for
judging that an outbreak has happened can be one of the
following.5
The occurrence of a greater number of cases or events than normally
occur in the same place when compared to the same duration in past
years.
A cluster of cases of the same disease occurs which can be linked to
the same exposure.
E.g. Kaposi's sarcoma, New York - 30 in 1981; only 2-3 previous yrs.
E.g. 3 athletes admitted with acute febrile illness after triathlon in
Springfield, Illinois. Triathlon related to illness. Leptospira.
A single case of disease that has never occurred before or might have a
significant implication for public health policy and practice can be
judged an outbreak which deserves to be investigated.
E.g. - Avian flu (H5N1) Hong Kong in a 3-year boy in May 1997 alerted local
auth. and scientists around the world to start a full-scale investigation.
6. Endemic: The constant presence of a disease or
infectious agent within a given geographic area or
population group, without importation from outside;
may also refer to the usual or expected frequency of
the disease within such area or population group.
A Dictionary of Epidemiology – 3rd ed; Last JM. 2000.
Pandemic: An epidemic usually affecting a large
proportion of the population, occurring over a wide
geographic area such as a section of a nation, the
entire nation, or a continent or the world.
A Dictionary of Epidemiology – 3rd ed; Last JM. 2000.
7. SUSCEPTIBLE
DISEASE
OUTBREAK
IMMUNE
NO
OUTBREAK
When formerly isolated populations are exposed to disease.
19th century – measles in Faroe islands.
When susceptible population is introduced to an endemic
area – streptococcal sore throat outbreaks when new recruits
arrived at Great Lakes Naval Station, USA.
8. Herd Immunity: The immunity o f a group or
community. The resistance of a group to invasion
and spread of an infectious agent, based on the
resistance to infection of a high proportion of the
individuals members of the group.1
When a large proportion of the population is
immune, the entire population is likely to be
protected, not only those who are immune.
Degree depends on –
Extent of random mixing of the population
Agent and transmission characteristics.
Environmental factors.
Number of susceptibles and immunes in the population.
9. 14
12
10
8
Expected number of cases
if effect limited to vaccines
6
REDUCED BY
HERD IMMUNITY
Number of cases observed
4
2
0
1958
1959
1960
1961
10. Incubation Period: Interval from receipt of infection
to the time of onset of clinical illness.1
Important in case of isolating infected people to prevent
transmission.
Isolation or quarantine should be greater than maximum
incubation period.
Useful if disease may be introduced into new areas.
11. Quarantine: The restriction of activities of well
persons or animals who have been exposed to a case
of communicable disease during its period of
communicability (i.e. contacts) to prevent disease
transmission during incubation period if infection
should occur.1
From quarante giorni (40 days).
Plague (Black Death) Europe, 1374 – Venetian Republic
1377, Ragusa detained travellers in an isolated
area, initially for 30 days and, when it did not work, for 40
days
12. Common-source epidemics
Single source
or point source epidemics
Continuous or multiple exposure epidemics
Propagated epidemics
Person
to person
Arthropod vector
Animal reservoir
Slow (modern) epidemics
13. Point Source: A point source outbreak occurs
when there is one single source that exists for a
very short time and all cases have common
exposure to it in that same particular period.
Ex: food poisoning
14. Common source single exposure
First case and the last case happen within one
incubation period
Rapid rise in number of cases followed by rapid decline
Example:
Food poisoning
due to spoiled food item in a feast.
Bhopal gas tragedy ( 198
15. Common source multiple exposure: There is only one
source, which provides continuous or intermittent
exposure over a longer period
Example:
Prostitute transmitting STD to her clients
Typhoid Mary
Water supply contamination due to leaky pipes.
Continuous
if leak is constant.
Intermittent if leak occurs during pressure variations.
16. Propagated epidemic: This
kind of outbreak is
caused by a transmission from one person to
another person.
Example: SARS, H1N1 influenza
17. To define the magnitude
To determine the particular conditions and
factors responsible for the occurrence of the
epidemic
To identify the cause, source of infection, and
modes of transmission
To formulate prevention and control measures
18.
To control the current outbreak.
Prevention of future outbreaks.
Describe new diseases and learn more about known
diseases.
Evaluation of the effectiveness of prevention
programmes.
Evaluation of the effectiveness of the existing
surveillance system.
Training health professionals.
Responding to public, political, or legal concern .
19. The first person who comes across news
of an outbreak / The health worker/ ANM
PHC medical officer / the CHC in charge
The District health officer / District RRT
or DEIT/ State RRT
Specialized agencies like NCDC (NICD).
20. 1. Verification of the diagnosis
2. Confirmation of existence of outbreak
3. Defining population at risk – Map, Count
4. Rapid search for cases and characteristics
5. Data Analysis – Time, Place, Person
6. Formulation of hypothesis
7. Testing of hypothesis
8. Evaluation of ecological factors
9. Further investigations
10. Reporting
21. Verify rumours
Technical, Administrative and Logistics
arrangement
Prepare Outbreak Management Kit according to
initial information
Brief members of the investigating team regarding
Roles & responsibilities
Methods of personal protection
Team composed of:
1. Nodal officer (Epi/ PHS)
2. Clinician
3. Microbiologist
4. Health Assistant
5. District/ Local administration
nominee
6. Other personnel as required
22.
Verification of the diagnosis is usually made on
clinical and laboratory parameters.
Ensure that the problem has been properly
diagnosed -- the outbreak really is what it has been
reported to be
Review
clinical findings and laboratory results for
affected people
Visit or talk to several of the people who became ill
For outbreaks involving infectious or toxic chemical
agents, be certain that the increase in diagnosed
cases is not the result of a mistake in the
laboratory.
23. Incidence rate is calculated by dividing the total cases
by the population at risk.
7 ye ar ave rage incide nce vs . 2003 incide nce of D e ngue in
2003
D e lhi
av g
2000
1861
1800
1600
1400
n o . o f c as e s
This rate is
compared with the
rate occurring in
the same
population, during
the corresponding
period of the
previous years.
1200
1189
1000
800
600
600
0
200
0
0
400
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
F
M
A
M
J
10
4
J
213
2
1
0
J
15
362
A
months of reporting
148
101
S
O
N
D
24. •
•
•
•
•
Clustering of cases or deaths
Increases in cases or deaths
Single case of disease of epidemic potential
Acute febrile illness of an unknown etiology
Two or more linked cases of disease with outbreak
potential(e.g., Measles, Cholera, Dengue, Japanese
encephalitis or plague)
•
•
•
•
•
•
Unusual isolate (Cholera O 139)
Unusual presentation
Environmental factors e.g. rainfall, climate
Shift in age distribution of cases
High vector density
Natural disasters
25. Rumour register
To be kept in standardized format in each
institution
Community informants
Private and public sector
Media
Important source of information, not to neglect
Review of routine data – surveillance data
Triggers (There are triggers for each condition under
surveillance, Various trigger levels may lead to local or
broader response)
26. Threshold for diseases under surveillance that trigger pre-
determined actions at various levels
Based upon the number of cases in weekly report
Trigger levels depend on:
Type of disease
Case fatality (Death / case ratio)
Number of evolving cases
Usual trend in the region
27. Trigger
Significance
Levels of response
1
Suspected /limited outbreak
• Local response by health
worker and medical officer
2
Outbreak
• Local and district response
by district surveillance
officer and rapid response
team
3
Confirmed outbreak
• Local, district and state
4
Wide spread epidemic
• State level response
5
Disaster response
• Local, district, state and
centre
28. Examples:
Trigger levels for Dengue
Trigger
1
• Clustering of 2 similar case of probable Dengue fever in a village
• Single case of Dengue hemorrhagic fever
Trigger
2
• More than 4 cases of Dengue fever in a village 1000 population.
Triggers for syndromic surveillance
Fever
• More than 2 similar case in the village (1000 Population)
Jaundice
• More than two cases of jaundice in different houses irrespective
of age in a village or 1000 population
30. • Severity of illness
• Number of cases
• Source / mode of transmission
• Availability of preventive & control measures
• Availability of staff & resources
• Public, political and legal concerns
• Public health program considerations
•Potential to affect others if the control
measures are not taken
• Research opportunity
31. Pseudo-outbreaks:
Artifact
in the numerator:
Increased awareness
Reporting of prevalent cases as incident cases (e.g.;
hepatitis C, sleeping sickness)
Laboratory error
Variation of the denominator:
Rapidly changing population denominators
Migrants or refugees
32. Obtain a map of the area
Counting of the population
Helps to calculate the denominator for further
calculation of attack rates.
Provides us with the possible number of people at
risk.
Mapping helps us to know area: ecological and
environmental factors.
33. Map :
Detailed, Current map of the area.
If not available – prepare
Information: Natural landmarks, Roads, All dwelling
units, Sources of water, Other important features
Counting:
Census by age and sex
Lay health workers
House to house visits
34. Includes: Framing a case definition, searching for
cases and doing a epidemiological survey.
A case definition is a standard set of criteria for
deciding whether an individual should be classified as
having the health condition of interest.
Criteria
Clinical and/or biological criteria,
Time
Place
Person
Case definition should be
balanced, practical, reliable and applied without bias.
35. Example - Measles: 3 definitions
Fever and runny nose
Too sensitive
Too many other illnesses produce same symptoms
Call many illnesses “measles”
Fever and rash and Koplik’s spots and conjunctivitis
Too specific
Many cases of measles do not have all these signs
Miss many real cases of measles
IDSP case definition: Fever of 3-7 days duration, with
generalized maculopapular rashes; with history of cough, coryza,
conjunctivitis or Koplik’s spots.
36. Suspect -Fewer of the typical clinical features
Probable- Typical clinical features of the disease
without laboratory confirmation.
Confirmed- Typical clinical features with laboratory
verification.
Confirmed Case
Laboratory
Verification
++
Possible Case
+
Clinical
Features
Probable Case
++
+
37. Example: E. coli O157 outbreak at
Restaurant X on 31/3/2010
Possible: diarrhea (3 loose stools per day) and
ate food purchased at restaurant X on 31/3
Probable: bloody diarrhea and ate food
purchased at restaurant X during on 31/3
Confirmed: culture positive with “outbreak”
PFGE pattern and ate food purchased from
restaurant X on 31/3
38. Case Definition may need to be updated within
an investigation
Broad to specific
Infection
with E. coli O157 vs. infection with the outbreak
strain (defined by PFGE pattern)
Location of exposure
SARS outbreak (travel
within 10 d of onset):
• In February: China/HK/Hanoi/Singapore
• In April: Toronto, Canada added
• In May: Taiwan added
Dates of exposure can change
SARS
outbreak: to meet the case definition-dates of
exposure dependant on location of exposure
39. The first cases to be recognized are usually only a small
proportion of the total number
To identify other cases, use as many sources possible
Passive Surveillance - Relies on routine notifications by
healthcare personnel
Active Surveillance - Involves regular outreach to potential
reporters to stimulate reporting of specific conditions;
investigators are sent to the afflicted area to collect more
information
Contact physician offices, hospitals, schools to find
persons with similar symptoms or illnesses
Send out a letter, telephone or visit the facilities to collect
information
Through media alerts asking people to get checked
41. The information is collected by “line listing”.
A line list is like a nominal roll of the cases being reported
to the various health care establishments (like
dispensaries, general practitioners or admitted to the
hospitals)
Constitutes and updates a database of cases
Done by hand or by Excel.
42.
43. The survey team will go for “door to door” survey
in the affected area and ask if any person had
suffered with symptoms fitting into case definition
(Rapid Household Survey)
If yes, their details were recorded on the
epidemiological case - sheet and required samples
are taken and dispatched to the hospital/ reference
laboratory.
Epidemiological case sheet = Case interview form
Detailed information from the case relevant to the
disease under study.
44. Information includes:
• Name, Age, Sex, Occupation, Social class
• Time of onset of disease, Signs & Symptoms
• Personal contact at home, work, school
• Travel history, attendance at large gatherings
• History of previous exposure/injections,
• Special events such as parties attended, foods
eaten, and exposure to common vehicles such as
water, food and milk
47. Characterizing an outbreak by time, place and
person is called descriptive epidemiology.
Descriptive epidemiology is important because:
What is reliable and informative (e.g., similar exposures)
What may not be as reliable (e.g., many missing
responses to a particular question)
Provides a comprehensive description of an outbreak by
showing its trend over time, its geographic extent (place)
and the populations (people) affected by the disease
48. Development of
proportional
distribution of cases
according to host
characteristics
(age, race, sex)
or
by exposures
(occupation, leisure
activities, use of
medications, tobacco,
drugs).
49. Count
Count the cases in each age and sex groups
Divide
Obtain census denominators for each age and sex groups
Compare
Estimate the incidence for each:
Age
group
Sex group
50. An attack rate is the proportion of a well-defined
population that develops illness over a limited
period of time, such as during an epidemic or
outbreak
What are the age and gender specific attack rates?
What age and gender groups are at highest and
lowest risk of illness?
In what other ways do the characteristics of the
cases differ significantly from those of the
general population?
Purpose => Identification of sub-group(s) at risk
51. Attack rate of measles by age and
sex, Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu,
India, 2004-2005
Characteristics
Age group
Number of Population
cases
Attack
rate per
100,000
255,755
19.6
51
1,795,383
2.8
Male
48
1,032,938
4.6
Female
Total
50
5+
Sex
0-4
53
1,018,200
5.2
101
2,051,138
4.9
53. What is the exact period of the outbreak?
What is the probable period of exposure?
Is the outbreak likely common source or
propagated?
54. Drawing the epidemic curve based on time distribution of cases
2. Eyeball
distribution
to choose interval
1. Count cases by
time of onset
3. Finalize
55. Interpretation of epidemic curve
Shape – type of epidemic
An early case in the curve may represent source of the
epidemic
Give information about the time course of an epidemic
and what the future course might be
In a point-source epidemic of a known disease with a
known incubation period, epidemic curve provides
information to identify a likely period of exposure
Shape of epidemic curve illustrates type of epidemic.
58. Continuous common source outbreak:
An abrupt increase in the number of cases but, new cases
persist for a longer time with a plateau shape instead of a
peak before decreasing.
60. Propagated source outbreak:
Number of cases
Increase in the number of cases with progressive peaks
16
14
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
1
4
7 10 13 16 19 22 25 28 31 34
Date
61. The spatial relationships
of cases are shown best
on a spot map.
A spot map showing
the location of cases can
give an idea of the
source of infection like
maps show that the
cases occurred in
proximity to a body of
water, a sewage
treatment plant, or its
outflow.
DRAWING A ROUGH SPOT MAP
62.
63. Questions to be asked and answered:
What is the most significant geographic distribution
of cases?
Place of residence? Workplace?
Do the attack rates vary by place?
Relation to any landmark or possible source?
64.
Usually we generate hypotheses from the beginning of
the outbreak, however, at this point, the hypotheses
are sharpened and more accurately focused.
To consider what is known about the disease itself:
What is the agent’s usual reservoir?
B. How is it usually transmitted?
C. What vehicles are commonly implicated?
D. What are the known risk factors?
A.
65. Talk to people who are ill: In-depth open
interviews, Group discussions
Hypotheses should be proposed in a way that they
can be tested.
66. After a hypothesis is formulated, one should be able to
show that:
all additional cases, lab data, and epidemiologic
evidence are consistent with the initial hypothesis
no other hypothesis fits the data as well
Observations that add weight to validity:
The greater the degree of exposure (or higher dosage
of the pathogen), the higher the incidence of disease
Higher incidence of disease in the presence of one risk
factor relative to other factors
67. Approaches:
Comparison of hypothesis with known/ established facts.
Analytic epidemiology to test the hypothesis
First method is used when the evidence is so strong
that hypothesis need not be tested
Example - A 1991 investigation of an outbreak of vitamin D
intoxication in Massachusetts.
All affected drank milk from local dairy.
Hypothesis - dairy was source, milk vehicle of excess vit D.
Visit to dairy, they quickly recognized that far more than
the recommended dose of vitamin D was inadvertently
being adding to the milk.
No further analysis was necessary.
68. Analytic epidemiology is used when cause is less
clear.
Cohort studies
Case control studies
What to use?
Case
control
Rare disease/ large community
Common disease/ small community
Complete population accessible
Large amount of resources
Limited resources
Cohort
+++
-
-
+++
+/-
+++
+
++
+++
-
69. Example:
Case control study for an outbreak of Acute Gastroenteritis
following a dinner.
FOOD
ATE and ILL
N (%)
ATE and NOT ILL
N (%)
ODDS RATIO
TOMATOES
14 (82)
30 (86)
0.83
CHICKEN
13 (71)
34 (94)
0.11
ALFAALFA
SPROUTS
10 (67)
6 (17)
8.25
70. These are additional studies undertaken to
corroborate the findings of the epidemiological
study.
Environmental studies
Microbiological studies
Entomological studies
71. Environmental studies often help explain why an
outbreak occurred and may be very important in
certain settings.
Example: Site of contamination of irrigation canal with
cattle urine in an outbreak of Leptospirosis in
southeastern Washington, August 1964.
Pond connected to
irrigation canal
And
Cattle around the site
72. Microbiological studies can clinch the relationship
between suspected source and outbreak.
Example: In the above outbreak of Leptospirosis, culture
of urine from the cattle, water of the canal and blood of
affected children yielded the same strain of L. pomona.
Also, the children who had recovered showed increased
anti leptospiral antibodies.
73. Entomological studies help identify the vector
responsible for the outbreak.
May also give useful insight into the life cycle of the
pathogen and the mode of transmission
Example:
Vector surveillance
in Chikungunya
affected villages of
Latur and Beed
districts of
Maharashtra, 2006
74. Additional epidemiologic studies
What questions remain unanswered about the disease?
What kind of study used in a particular setting would
answer these questions?
When analytic studies do not confirm the hypotheses
reconsider the
original hypotheses
look for
new vehicles or modes of transmission
Additional investigations
Further lab studies
Refine hypothesis till confirmation
75.
76. Report provides a blueprint for action.
It also serves as a record of performance and a
document for potential legal issues.
It serves as a reference if the health department
encounters a similar situation in the future.
In public health literature serves the purpose of
contributing to the knowledge base of epidemiology
and public health
Daily interim reports and final report.
77. Contents of a Report:
1. Back ground
2. Historical data
3. Methodology of investigation
4. Analysis of data (clinical data, Epidemiological
data, modes of transmission, Lab data,
Interpretation of data)
5. Control measures
6. Evaluation
7. Preventive measures
78. Report to be submitted
by investigating
officer/ team to the
next higher authority
within one week of
completion of
investigations
79. Appropriate control measures
based on Epidemiological, Clinical, Environmental
findings
To prevent further spread of disease
The elements of epidemic control include:
1. Controlling the source of the pathogen (if known)
Remove or inactivate the pathogen
2. Interrupting the transmission.
Sterilize environmental source of spread; vector control
3. Modifying the host response to exposure.
Immunization; Prophylactic chemotherapy
80. Control measures should be implemented at
the earliest.
DO NOT wait for laboratory confirmation to
start control measures.
81. Follow up of outbreak
Detect last case
Detect and treat late complications
Complete documentation
Evaluation of outbreak management including
investigations (by local authorities)
Genesis of outbreak
Early or late detection of outbreak
Preparedness for outbreak
Management of the outbreak
Control measures taken and their impact
82. Documentation and sharing the lessons learnt
Post outbreak seminar.
Feedback to local health authorities, RRTs and other
concerned.
Developing case studies on selected outbreaks for
training purposes.
83. Audience
Medium
Focus of the
content
Communication
objective
Epidemiologists,
laboratory
•Report
•Epidemiology
•Documentation of
the source
Public health
managers
•Summary
•Recommendations
•Action
Political leaders
•Briefing
•Control measures
•Evidence that the
situation is under
control
Community
•Press release,
interview
•Health education
•Personal steps
towards prevention
Scientific
community
•Presentation,
manuscript
•Science
•Scientific progress
POSSIBLE MATRIX FOR COMMUNICATION OF
INVESTIGATION RESULTS AND FINDINGS
84. An outbreak of fever, URI & loose motion among the
boarders of PTS, Jharoda kalan, Delhi was reported to
the MS of SJH by CDMO of SW district of Delhi on
10.07.09 .
Cause for concern – Panic d/t novel H1N1 cases in Delhi
RRT composition –
Epidemiologist, Physician, Microbiologist and other
doctors. (11.07.09)
Case definition: A person with acute onset of fever with
or without sore throat, diarrhea, headache, body ache
starting from 2nd July 2009 onward.
Line listing, Epidemiological case sheet (with travel
history), Lab analysis of samples for H1N1.
85. Descriptive:
Time – Start = 2nd Jul, Peak = 7th Jul, Fall afterwards
Place – Start in Tent # 40, 25 & 8; then spread. clustered
around tent no 1,9,20, 22, 27, 36 &37.
Person – 61 cases. Mean age 22.2 yrs (20-49).
Environmental: Crowded, ill ventilated tents. Humid
environment with low temperature.
Lab: H1N1 negative. Influenza A +ve.
Recommendations:
Reduce crowding, Improve ventilation
Increase staffing in dispensary and Proper record maintainance
Prompt identification and reporting of changes in disease
frequency.
86. Outbreak of jaundice among the residents of Sector 8 of
RK Puram, New Delhi was reported to the MS of SJH by
CDMO of SW district of Delhi on 06.04.2011.
Initial report by DSO suggested sudden onset of
jaundice.
RRT – Epidemiologist, Physician, Microbiologist and
other personnel. To CGHS, dispensary on 06.04.2011
Case defn : A person with signs and symptoms of
jaundice with or without elevated serum
aminotransferase levels from 1st January 2011 onwards
Verification of outbreak by review of records of CGHS
dispensary.
87. Rapid survey, Line listing, Spot map, Clinical
examination, Epidemiological case sheet, Blood
samples, Environmental study
Descriptive:
Time – Rise from 15th Jan, Peak 1st week March, Decline
afterwards. Max cases in March (11/21)
Place – Clustering around N block & adjacent to Palam rd
Person – 15-30 yrs (50%), M > F (58.3/ 41.7)
Lab: 3/5 recent cases +ve for Anti HEV IgM.
2/6 water samples – Fecal contamination
88. Environmental: Water & sewer lines running
close, Intermittent water supply – Booster
pumps, Latrine near water storage tank, Sewer lines not
de-silted – overflowing, Damaged water lines. Absent
residual chlorine.
Conclusion: Confirmed outbreak of jaundice. Lab results
Acute Hepatitis E. Damaged water lines and
contamination from sewer lines responsible.
Recommendations:
Proper record maintenance in CGHS dispensary(diagnosis, S/s)
Monitoring and repairing of water lines
Sewer lines should not be close to water supply pipeline
Regular de-silting and cleaning of sewer line.
Proper chlorination of water supply.
89. 1. A Dictionary of Epidemiology – 3rd ed; Last JM.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
2000.
Park’s Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine
– 21st ed; Park JE. 2010.
Epidemiology – 4th ed; Gordis L. 2004.
Checklist for CRRT for outbreak investigation, NICD
2008
Oxford Textbook of Public Health – 4th ed; 2002
Mausner & Bahn Epidemiology: An Introductory
Text – 2nd ed; Mausner JS, Kramer S. 1985.
90. 7. R Bonita, R Beaglehole, T Kjellström. Basic
Epidemiology: WHO;2nd Edition.
8. Outbreak Investigations Around The World: Case
Studies in Infectious Disease Field Epidemiology;
Mark S Dworkin. 2010
9. Steps of outbreak investigation; Epidemiology in
the classroom. Excite, CDC. From www.cdc.gov
10. Raut DK, Roy N, Nair D, Sharma R. Influenza A virus
outbreak in Police Training School, Najafgarh, Delhi
– 2009. Indian J Med Res; Dec 2010; 132: 731-732
4=checklist for CRRT for outbreak investigation, NICD 2008
The term ‘cluster’ is an aggregation of two or more cases which is not necessarily more than expected.
Magnitude : Measurement of epidemic in terms of morbidity, mortality , loss of productivity, psychological influence on population affected.
Epidemic curve: a graphic plotting of distribution of cases by time of onset.
Limitations: delay in initial report. Improper records. Problems: No evaluation. No follow up. Surveillance system should have been started.
Blood samples from 5 recent and 4 convalescent cases
Late start d/t late info.Investigation not evaluated. No system created for early detection of outbreakRecommendation of sewer and water line distance not practical ???No follow up