Description
1) Review data in the Mission statement and Clue #1: What were the original observations which lead to identifying the outbreak? (The Who, What, Where and When of Field Investigation)
a. Who seems to be impacted? Are there any demographic similarities between the cases based on first reports?
b. Describe the case(s). What were the reported clinical symptoms? Have any disease/conditions been ruled out?
c. What is an Epidemiology Curve and what does it show about the time frame of the initial Outbreak?
d. What are the initial theories for the cause of the Outbreak? Are they supported by the Epi Curve? Please provide your reasoning.
2) Review Clue#2 and Clue #3: Field Investigation:
a. How did the EIS Team gather information on possible activities which were associated with the cases?
b. Reviewing the initial data in Characteristic and Activities of Sick People was the Team able to determine the cause of the illness? Which three characteristics were most prominent in the cases?
c. What is attack rate and how is it calculated in this field investigation?
d. Provide the Teams results for activity Attack Rates. What does this tell you about which conference activities were associated with the outbreak? Can you form a hypothesis regarding the cause of the outbreak? Why or why not?
3) Review Clue#4:Field Investigation: With no clear association to any of the Conference Activities, the EIS Team needs additional data
a. Other than conference attendees did anyone else fall sick? What types of exposures were noted for these individuals?
b. The Team interviewed these other cases. What potential link did they explore, and what was their primary finding?
c. Do the anecdotal data suggest an airborne or water-borne agent? Which? Please provide your reasoning.
4) Review Clue #5: Results
a. What was the critical piece of information need to sole the outbreak? How was it discovered?
b. What was the nature of the pathogen and how did the scientist confirm it was related to additional cases?
c. What was the reservoir for the pathogen (where did the pathogen grow and multiply)?
d. How can you Break the Chain of Infection for this pathogen?
