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Disease Outbreak

Disease Outbreak. Maria del Rosario, MD, MPH www.wvidep.org Infectious Disease Epidemiology Program WVDHHR/BPH/DSDC February 2009. Objectives. Understand why a disease outbreak requires immediate attention. Recognize an outbreak when it occurs.

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Disease Outbreak

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  1. Disease Outbreak Maria del Rosario, MD, MPH www.wvidep.org Infectious Disease Epidemiology Program WVDHHR/BPH/DSDC February 2009

  2. Objectives • Understand why a disease outbreak requires immediate attention. • Recognize an outbreak when it occurs. • Know what to do when a disease outbreak is recognized.

  3. What is an OUTBREAK? (1) Outbreaks (aka epidemics): an increase in the number of cases* of disease over and above the expected number of cases. __________ *certain diseases specify the number of cases

  4. What is an OUTBREAK? (2) • Foodborne disease outbreak is defined as > 2 persons who experience a similar illness after ingestion of a common food. • A single case constitutes an outbreak: • Category A agents - Anthrax, Botulism, Smallpox, Viral Hemorrhagic Fever, • Emerging infectious disease, • Chemical poisoning , • Rare diseases - diphtheria, polio, monkeypox, novel influenza virus, human rabies, Salmonella typhi, Vibrio cholerae • Methicillin-resistant Staph. aureus (MRSA) Outbreak: • > 2 epidemiologically-linked cases of CA-MRSA occurring in at least 2 distinct households, • A case on a sports team, • An increase in the incidence of CA-MRSA over the expected incidence. 4

  5. How would I know that there is an outbreak? • Through surveillance records and other data sources • Someone notifies you, e.g. medical/ nursing provider, corrections officer, inmates, etc.

  6. Public Health: Steps in Outbreak Investigation • Establish existence of an outbreak • Preparation • Verify the Diagnosis • Establish a case definition, Identify and count cases • Perform Descriptive Epidemiology • Develop hypotheses • Test hypotheses • Refine hypotheses and do additional studies • Implement Control /Prevention Measures • Communicate the Findings

  7. I think, maybe…there is an outbreak of…something. Now, what? (1) • Report/notify public health authorities Legislative rule 64CSR7 states: “Suspected or confirmed outbreak or cluster of any illness or condition needs to be reported IMMEDIATELY to the health department.” http://www.wvidep.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=a0cnCHjajzg%3d&tabid=1473

  8. …there is an outbreak of…something. Now, what? (2) • Investigate • Reasons to investigate • Control /prevention • Public, political, legal concerns • Education

  9. …there is an outbreak of…something. Now, what? (3) • How to Investigate • What information to collect • Collect samples (stool, etc.)

  10. …there is an outbreak of…something. Now, what? (4) • Evaluate the data collected • Health department can help with collation, analyses, and interpretation • Response to outbreak will be based on initial findings

  11. …there is an outbreak of…something. Now, what? (5) • Initiate control/preventive measures • Implement control measures as soon as possible • May be aimed at agent (organism), source, or reservoir • Short or long term

  12. Summary • Surveillance is important in detecting an outbreak. • Early detection of a disease outbreak is critical to clinical and public health management.

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