Lecture 12 - Outbreak Investigation

Outbreak

What term is synonymous with epidemic/epizootic, and is where the observed number of cases exceeds the expected number in a specified area, among a specific group of individuals, and over a particular time period?

Initial

Which outbreak investigation confirms that an outbreak exists, determines if there is a true increase in incidence of disease, what the disease is, and characterizes the cases to create a formal case definition? It may not be possible to make a definitive diagnosis at this stage.

Descriptive

Which phase of an epidemiologic workup describes disease parameters (clinical signs, incubation period, other factors), herd history, case definition, and generates an epidemic curve?

Descriptive, Analytical, Intervention

What are the three phases of an epidemiologic workup?

Transboundary animal disease

What term is abbreviated TAD, and refers to those diseases that are of significant economic, trade, and food security importance for a considerable number of countries, requiring cooperation between several countries? These include FMD, brucellosis, BSE, bovine TB, and some influenzas.

Yes

Is lab confirmation needed to differentiate/determine that a specific disease is present in an apparent outbreak?

Temporal, Spatial, Demographic

What three patterns are very important parts of the descriptive phase of outbreak investigation?

Case Definition

Clinical signs, immunologic response, and lab detection of the agent are the three criteria used to determine the what in an outbreak investigation?

Analytical

Which phase of an outbreak investigation involves generating a hypothesis, reviews existing descriptive epidemiological data about a suspected disease if known?

Case-control, cohort

In situations where the cause is unknown, association between exposure/risk factors/disease is identified using what two types of studies? Statistical significances are then assessed.

Intervention

Which phase of outbreak investigation involves timely implementation of appropriate measures to minimize morbidity, mortality, and national expenditure? It is guided by results of epidemiological investigation and involves media/public interaction.

Biosecurity

What is the term for practical precautions taken to minimize the risk of an infectious agent being introduced?