Outbreak.html



Outbreak is a term used in epidemiology to describe an occurrence of disease greater than would otherwise be expected in a particular time and place. It may be small and localized group or impact upon thousands of people across an entire continent. Two linked cases of a rare infectious disease may be sufficient to constitute an outbreak. Outbreaks may also refer to epidemics, which affect a region in a country or a group of countries, or pandemics, which describe global disease outbreaks.

Outbreak Investigation

When investigating disease outbreaks, the epidemiology profession has developed a number of widely accepted steps. As described by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, these include the following¹:

• Verify the diagnosis related to the outbreak
• Identify the existence of the outbreak: is the group of ill persons normal for the time of year, geographic area, etc.?
• Create a case definition to define who/what is included as a case
• Complete descriptive epidemiology: describe outbreak with respect to time, place, and people
• Develop a hypothesis: what appears to be causing the outbreak?
• Study hypothesis: collect data and perform analysis
• Refine hypothesis and carry out further study
• Develop and implement control and prevention systems
• Release findings to greater community

Types

• Common source (Point source)
• Propagated
• Continuous source
• Behavioral risk related
• Zoonotic

Outbreak legislation

Outbreak legistlation is still in its infancy and not many countries have had a direct and complete set of the provisions ^{2, 3}. However, some countries do manage the outbreaks using relevant acts, such as public health law ⁴.

Notes

Look up Outbreak in
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1. ^ EXCITE | Epidemiology in the Classroom | Outbreak Steps
2. ^ Bioterrorism Training and Curriculum Development Program. "Outbreak Law". Retrieved on 2 August, 2008.
3. ^ Star Publications. "‘Outbreak actions protected by law’". Retrieved on 2 August, 2008.
4. ^ The State of Queensland Government. "Legislation and Powers of Entry". Retrieved on 2 August, 2008.