The primary distinction between continuous source outbreaks and other types of outbreaks, such as point source and propagated outbreaks, lies in the duration and pattern of exposure. In a point source outbreak, individuals are exposed to the source at the same time, leading to a sharp rise and fall in case numbers. In contrast, a continuous source outbreak maintains a more consistent level of new cases over time. Propagated outbreaks, on the other hand, involve person-to-person transmission, resulting in successive waves of cases.
