Question

(a) Define epidemic, endemic, pandemic, disease outbreak and disease cluster

(b) Briefly discuss the CDC recommended 12 steps involved in a disease outbreak investigation. Which step is the most important/challenging one in the current Coronavirus disease outbreak? Why?

Answer 1

a.Definitions:

1. Epidemic-- An infectious disease spreading rapidly to large number of people in a short period of time in a population.

2. Endemic -- A disease which is always present in the people of a geographical area and is due to certain conditions prevailing in the area.

3. Pandemic-- An infectious disease which spreads across the globe to many continents rapidly .

b. 12 steps CDC for disease out break investigation--

1. Preparing for field work.

2. Establishing the out break

3.Verification of diagnosis

4. Constructing working case definition

5. Find the cases and record information

6. Perform epidemiology

7. Developing hypothesis.

8.Evaluate hypothesis epidemiologically

9. If needed reconsider and re-evaluate hypothesis

10. Compare laboratory and environmental studies

11. Implementing control measures

12. Communicate findings

The step that is more challenging in Corona virus case is epidemiology of the virus. To precisely identify how it is spreading.