Section: Module 1: Introduction to Outbreak Investigation | Outbreak Investigation | NextGenU.org

  • Competency covered in this module:   
    • The public health professional shall know and understand basic demographic and epidemiological aspects.
    • Understand international disease reporting requirements.
    • The public health professional shall know and understand the contested nature of definitions, models, and concepts of health and disease.
    • Be familiar with the steps of an outbreak investigation.

    • This module will focus on key terms and fundamental knowledge needed to understand outbreak investigations. 

      Acquiring an infection or a disease - as well as the occurrence of an outbreak - results from a complex interaction between the host, the agent and the environment. Understanding this chain of infection is one of the goals of this lesson. It is also crucial to understand how initiating an investigation early in an outbreak, prior to the disease becoming widespread, can help guide control measures that will reduce the effect of the disease on vulnerable people. The purpose of an outbreak investigation is to determine the necessary measures to control (in the short term) and prevent (in the long term) a health problem that is generally acute. This lesson also covers operational objectives of an outbreak investigation. Finally, there are enormous financial and legal considerations of outbreaks of disease, not only for those affected by the disease, but also as a result of the investigation process itself.

      Please note that the steps for Outbreak Investigation may vary slightly between resources. For the purpose of this training, the steps used are from Principles of Epidemiology in Public Health Practice, Third Edition. An Introduction to Applied Epidemiology and Biostatistics by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

    • Module 1: Lesson 1: Introduction
       
      Student Learning Objectives:

      Upon completion of this lesson, you will be able to:

      • Remember basic demographic and epidemiological aspects.
      • Explain the International Disease Reporting requirements.
      • Discuss the contested nature of models and concepts of health and disease.
      • Discuss the steps of an outbreak investigation.

      Approximate time required to complete the readings (at 144 words/minute) and assignments for this module: 1 hour and 53 minutes.

       
      Required Learning Resources and Activities
    • url icon
      Basic Epidemiological Definitions URL
      Students must
      View

      This book on Principles of Epidemiology in Public Health Practice from the CDC will provide you with basic epidemiological definitions to understand the principles of Outbreak Investigation.

      Read Section 1 pages 2-3, and Section 1 pages 72-73

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      Cluster Investigations of Non-Infectious Health Events URL
      Students must
      Mark as done

      This article provides an overview of the definition of Cluster and how to perform Cluster investigation.

      Read pages 1, 2 and 3 until section Step 1: Initial ascertainment of cluster

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      International Health Regulations (IHR) URL
      Students must
      Mark as done

      Read the IHR coordinated by the World Health Organization (WHO) that aims to keep the world informed about public health risks and events.

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      Deciding whether to investigate a possible outbreak URL
      Students must
      Mark as done

      Read the section on Deciding whether to investigate a possible outbreak

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      Natural History and Spectrum of Disease URL
      Students must
      Mark as done

      This book on Principles of Epidemiology in Public Health Practice from the CDC will help you understand the natural history of disease.

      Read Section 1 pages 59-61

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      Steps in an outbreak investigation Page
      Students must
      View
    • forum icon
      Forum: Reflect on the Outbreak response plan from your city/country
      Students must
      View
      Start discussions: 1

      Reflect on your country/region outbreak response plan. Please describe in less than 150 words the following: 

      1. Whether your jurisdiction's plan is specific to one pathogen or is general for any outbreak.

      2. Is the identification of roles and responsibilities clear?.

      3. Does your jurisdiction's plan comply with International Health Regulations? 

      4. To post your response click on the button at the bottom of the screen labeled 'Add a new discussion topic.'

      5. You will also need to comment on at least one other post made by your peers in a respectful and professional manner. If a peer comments on your posting, please reply back. Tp post a reply, click on the particular discussion, then click on 'reply'.

      Note: If you cannot locate a plan for your own setting, see if you can use a different setting.

    • quiz icon
      Quiz: Module 1:Lesson 1

      To access the quiz, click on the name of the quiz provided above. On the following screen, click the Attempt Quiz button to view the case studies and respond to the questions.

      TO PASS THIS QUIZ YOU MUST OBTAIN A SCORE OF 80%.

    • Additional Resources for Optional Learning
    • url icon
      Pandemics: Risks, Impacts, and Mitigation URL

      This book on Disease Control Priorities: Improving Health and Reducing Poverty will help you understand the main reasons to investigate an outbreak.

      Read pages 315-325

    • url icon
      WHO Disease Outbreak News and Weekly Epidemiological Report URL

      Reports of current verified outbreaks are included in the weekly WHO Disease Outbreak News. The Weekly Epidemiological report (WER) provides epidemiological information on cases and outbreaks of disease of public health importance.

    • url icon
      ProMed URL

      The global reporting system for outbreaks of emerging infectious diseases & toxins, open to all sources. ProMed- mail the Program Monitoring Emerging Diseases, is a program of the International Society for Infectious Diseases.

    • url icon
      U.S. FoodNet Population Survey data URL

      Useful resource from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for identifying food consumption patterns.

    • url icon
      Public Health Agency of Canada Surveillance URL

      Canadian government surveillance sistem of infectious and non infectious diseases.

    • url icon
      FluWatch URL

      FluWatch is Canada's national surveillance system that monitors the spread of flu and flu-like illnesses. FluWatch reports with information on flu activity in Canada are posted every Friday.

    • url icon
      Canada Communicable Disease Report (CCDR) Weekly URL

      The Canada Communicable Disease Report (CCDR) Weekly provides reports of national and international communicable disease issues and incidents.

    • url icon
      West Nile Surveillance Information URL

      Learn about the different types of surveillance for West Nile virus and the reported number of cases in humans.