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Other uses Outbreak is a term used in epidemiology to describe an occurrence of disease greater than would otherwise be expected at a particular time and place. It may affect a small and localized group or impact upon thousands of people across an entire continent. Two linked cases of a rare infectious disease may be sufficient to constitute an outbreak. Outbreaks may also refer to epidemic s, which affect a region in a country or a group of countries, or pandemic s, which describe global disease outbreaks.
Outbreak investigation
When investigating disease outbreaks, the epidemiology profession has developed a number of widely accepted steps. As described by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , these include the following: http://www.cdc.gov/excite/classroom/outbreak/steps.htm Steps of an Outbreak Investigation, EXCITE | Epidemiology in the Classroom | Outbreak Steps
Verify the diagnosis related to the outbreak
Identify the existence of the outbreak (Is the group of ill persons normal for the time of year, geographic area, etc.? )
Create a case definition to define who/what is included as a case
Map the spread of the outbreak using Information technology as diagnosis is reported to insurance
Develop a hypothesis (What appears to be causing the outbreak? )
Study hypothesis (collect data and perform analysis)
Refine hypothesis and carry out further study
Develop and implement control and prevention systems
Release findings to greater communities
Types
There are several outbreak patterns, which can be useful in identifying the transmission method or source, and predicting the future rate of infection. Each has a distinctive epidemic curve , or histogram of case infections and deaths. http://ccnmtl.columbia.edu/projects/epiville/study5d.html dead link|date=November 2010
Common source – All victims acquire the infection from the same source (e.g. a contaminated water supply). http://www.cdc.gov/excite/library/glossary.htm#outbreakcommonsource Glossary of Epidemiology Terms, Cdc.gov (2007-04-25). Retrieved on 2010-11-25.
* Continuous source – Common source outbreak where the exposure occurs over multiple incubation periods
* Point source – Common source outbreak where the exposure occurs in less than one incubation period http://www.cdc.gov/excite/library/glossary.htm#outbreakpointsource Glossary of Epidemiology Terms. Cdc.gov (2007-04-25). Retrieved on 2010-11-25.
Propagated – Transmission occurs from person to person. http://www.cdc.gov/excite/library/glossary.htm#outbreakpropagated Glossary of Epidemiology Terms. Cdc.gov (2007-04-25). Retrieved on 2010-11-25.
Outbreaks can also be:
Behavioral risk related (e.g., sexually transmitted disease s, increased risk due to malnutrition ) http://www.cdc.gov/doc.do/id/0900f3ec802272e6 dead link|date=November 2010
Zoonotic – The infectious agent is endemic to an animal population.
Patterns of occurrence are:
Endemic (epidemiology)|Endemic – a communicable disease, such as influenza, measles, mumps, pneumonia, colds, small pox, which is characteristic of a particular place, or among a particular group, or area of interest or activity
Epidemic – when this disease is found to infect a significantly larger number of people at the same time than is common at that time, and among that population, and may spread through one or several communities.
Pandemic – occurs when an epidemic spreads worldwide.
Outbreak legislation
Outbreak legislation is still in its infancy and not many countries have had a direct and complete set of the provisions.cite web | title = Bioterrorism Training and Curriculum Development Program | url = http://library.scahec.net/view/product/32 | accessdate = 2 August 2008 cite web | last = Star Publications | title = ‘Outbreak actions protected by law’ | url = http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp? file=/2008/7/16/courts/21834412& sec=courts | accessdate = 2 August 2008 However, some countries do manage the outbreaks using relevant acts, such as public health law .cite web | last = The State of Queensland Government | title = Legislation and Powers of Entry | url = http://www.health.qld.gov.au/dengue/managing_outbreaks/legislation.asp | accessdate = 2 August 2008
