Identifying a point source attack involves several key steps:
Case Identification: The first step is to identify and document individual cases of the disease. Epidemiological Curve: Plotting the cases on an epidemic curve helps visualize the outbreak's timeline. A point source outbreak typically shows a sharp increase in cases followed by a gradual decline. Exposure History: Gathering detailed histories of the affected individuals to identify common sources of exposure. Laboratory Testing: Testing samples from suspected sources to confirm the presence of the pathogen.
