Terms Flashcards
Epidemic
Large numbers of people over wide geographic area affected
Outbreak
(Localized epidemic) More cases of particular disease then expected in a given area or among a specialized group of people over a particular period of time
Cluster
An aggregation of cases over a particular period (ex: cancer) and birth defects closely grouped in time and space regardless whether the number is more than the expected number (often the expected number of cases is not know)
Pandemic
An epidemic occurring over a very wide area (several countries or continents) and usually affecting a large proportion of the population
Vector
An animate intermediary in the indirect transmission of an agent that carries the agent from a reservoir to a suspect able host. An organism that transmits the infection as a mosquito transmits malaria.
Fomite
A physical object that serves to transmit an infectious agent from person to person
Zoonosis
An infectious disease that is transmissible from animals to humans.
What is the scientific method?
Background info Define problem Make hypothesis Develop a study to test hypothesis Collect data and observations Evaluate results Determine if hypothesis is true/modify Formulate conclusions Report results
What are the ten steps in an Outbreak Investigation?
Prepare for field work
Establish the existence of and outbreak
Verify the diagnosis
Define and identify cases
Describe the orient the data in terms of time, place and person
Develop hypothesis
Evaluate hypothesis
Refine hypothesis and carry out additional studies
Implement control and prevention measures
Communicate findings
What is an Epidemic Curve or Epi curve?
A histogram showing the course of the disease or outbreak to identify the source of the exposure
What is a cohort study?
Exposure, although not sure if virus effects them
Retrospective
Starts at exposure in past and moves forward to outcome
Prospective
Starts at present exposure and moves forward in time to outcome
What is the attack rate?
The rate that a group experience an outcome or illness
What is Case-Control?
Works backwards from effect or illness to suspect cause
