Investigating an outbreak involves a systematic approach:
1. Confirming the Outbreak: Verifying that the reported cases exceed the expected number. 2. Defining and Identifying Cases: Establishing a case definition and conducting case-finding to identify affected individuals. 3. Descriptive Epidemiology: Characterizing the outbreak in terms of time, place, and person. 4. Hypothesis Generation: Formulating hypotheses about the source and spread of the outbreak. 5. Analytical Studies: Testing hypotheses through case-control or cohort studies. 6. Implementing Control Measures: Taking actions to control the outbreak based on findings. 7. Communicating Findings: Sharing results and recommendations with stakeholders and the public.
