What are the 4 steps of an outbreak investigation?

Verifying the diagnosis and establishing the existence of an outbreak. Establishing a case definition and finding cases. Conducting descriptive epidemiology to determine the personal characteristics of the cases, changes in disease frequency over time, and differences in disease frequency based on location.

How are disease outbreaks investigated?

Outbreak investigations have essential components as follows: 1) establish case definition(s); 2) confirm that cases are “real”; 3) establish the background rate of disease; 4) find cases, decide if there is an outbreak, define scope of the outbreak; 5) examine the descriptive epidemiologic features of the cases; 6) …

What are 3 things disease detectives do?

When disease outbreaks or other threats emerge, epidemiologists are on the scene to investigate. Often called “Disease Detectives”, epidemiologists search for the cause of disease, identify people who are at risk, determine how to control or stop the spread or prevent it from happening again.

What does disease Detectives Science Olympiad do?

What is the Disease Detectives Event?

• Challenges students to apply the same scientific practices and methods, critical thinking, and reasoning skills used by CDC disease detectives.
• Demonstrates the relevance of math and science in the context of current public health events occurring around the world.

What’s the first step in an outbreak investigation?

Establish the existence of an Outbreak. Consider severity, potential for spread, public concern and, availability of resources. more on step 2 Step 3. Verify the diagnosis more on step 3 Step 4. Define and Identify Case – Case definition and Line Listing. more on step 4 Step 5.

What should be included in a disease outbreak?

It should include clinical information, characteristics of those with the disease, and geographic and timing information about the cluster of cases. A good case definition starts out very inclusive so as not to miss any potential cases that do not have the typically identified symptoms.

How many cases are there in a disease outbreak?

Keep in mind that a change in disease monitoring, laboratory diagnostics, reporting requirements or even increased publicity might affect the number of cases reported without accurately reflecting a true disease outbreak. How many cases are there? The 5 “W’s” of any investigation apply here as well.