What Are Some Common Methods of Outbreak Investigation?
Outbreak investigations typically follow a systematic approach:
1. Establishing the existence of an outbreak: Confirming that the number of cases exceeds the expected number. 2. Verifying the diagnosis: Ensuring that the cases are correctly diagnosed. 3. Defining and identifying cases: Creating a case definition and identifying additional cases. 4. Descriptive epidemiology: Characterizing the outbreak by time, place, and person. 5. Developing hypotheses: Formulating possible explanations for the outbreak. 6. Testing hypotheses: Using analytical studies to test these hypotheses. 7. Implementing control measures: Applying interventions to control the outbreak. 8. Communicating findings: Sharing results with stakeholders and the public.
