OUTBREAK INVESTIGATION REPORT WRITING GUIDELINE
A. Introduction
[A brief summary of the outbreak/setting the scene (this report is about…will discuss this and that and finally summarise key findings….outline some public health interventions to control outbreak]
B. Background
[Briefly describe- when outbreak occurred; how the outbreak was discovered; where or what sources (e.g. foods) were implicated; important facts to be drawn out; total number; summary of the case investigated and anything else that may be of relevance e.g. previous outbreaks]
C. Investigation of the outbreak
[Highlight some epidemiological, environmental and microbiological aspects]
1. Confirm that this is really an outbreak
[What sort of data was collected, what you know about the usual prevalence of these microorganisms e.g. surveillance systems]. Describe the data you have so far [You are required to mention setting up an outbreak control committee and talk about control measures].
2. Put together a case definition (person, place, time symptoms)
3. Describe how other cases were found e.g. GP alerts or use of questionnaires to collect information on cases.
4. Describe cases, what sort of outbreak is this? Write about any information about incubation period, age and gender of cases?
5. Put together a hypothesis on the likely source and vehicle associated with outbreak
6. Test hypothesis usually case/control study including Odds ratio. How are the controls recruited? (If needed or given)
7. What other information might be used to confirm the hypothesis? e.g. Sampling of environment and/or food.
8. Recommendations to prevent future outbreaks (control measures)
[Infection control, policy changes, public information]
D. Discussion and conclusion
E. Lessons learned and recommendations
F. References (Harvard) [ OUTBREAK OF MEASLES IN WALES NOV 2012- JULY2013].
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