How Do Epidemiologists Study Transmission Patterns?

Epidemiologists use various methods to study transmission patterns:

Epidemiological Studies: Observational studies such as cohort, case-control, and cross-sectional studies help identify risk factors and transmission dynamics.
Mathematical Modeling: Models simulate disease spread under different scenarios, predicting potential outbreaks and evaluating intervention strategies.
Genetic Sequencing: Analyzing the genetic makeup of pathogens can trace transmission routes and identify sources of outbreaks.
Contact Tracing: Identifying and following up with individuals who have been in contact with an infected person to prevent further spread.