0814 - Epi of pathogens- CG

Question 1

Role of infectious pathogens as a cause of disease

Answer 1

EPIDEMIOLOGY triangle- factors between : Host-pathogen: socioeconomic status, immune status, co-morbidities, race Environment-host: occupation and recreational activities, residence and surrounds, dietary and lifestyle Pathogen-environment:- hospital, immunization, resistances

Question 2

Aware of types pathogens of public health concern in Australia and list examples

Answer 2

Lab-notifiable diseases- All hep, HIV, anthrax, botulism, cholera, diphtheria, gonorrhoea Hospital notifiable- AIDS, acute viral hep, cholera, gastroenteritis, leprosy etc

Question 3

Public health surveillance of communicable diseases - purpose

Answer 3

To detect clusters and outbreaks of important infectious diseases to take timely action to prevent spread Prevent future outbreaks, monitoring trends over time, evaluating large-scale interventions, research Tend to be under-reported

Question 4

Types of surveillance

Answer 4

Passive- limited efforts to stimulate reporting Active- regular outreach to potential reporters Sentinel- subset of reporters in population risk factor- surveillance of population behaviours hazard- monitoring of environmental hazards

Question 5

Exposure disease diagnosis reporting pathway

Answer 5

1. Exposure to hazad- incubation/latency, necessary cause 2. Develop disease- characteristics, ie % symptomatic, manifestations, communicability 3. Diagnosis- cause of health seeking, clinical distinct, availability of test 4. Reporting

Question 6

Outbreak investigation- outline steps

Answer 6

1. Identify and limit spread of serious illness, particular in vulnerable sub populations. Research natural history of disease and prevent future events
2. Steps to investigate outbreaks
   a. Identify outbreak
   b. Verify diagnosis
   c. Case definition
   d. Identify and count cases
   e. Descriptive epidemiology- time, place, person
   f. Determine risk factors
   g. Implement control and prevention
   h. Disseminate findings
   i. Debrief
3. Powers under public health acts