Abstract
This chapter reviews the current state of the art in outbreak and cluster investigations. In general, outbreak investigations have been more fruitful in leading to scientific discoveries in epidemiology than have studies of clusters. Because outbreak investigations are "natural experiments" and their methods are relatively well established, they provide unique opportunities in applied epidemiology. A properly conducted outbreak investigation can lead to rapid implementation of control measures, new discoveries about risk factors, and important field training opportunities through programs such as the EIS.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Applied Epidemiology |
| Subtitle of host publication | Theory to Practice |
| Publisher | Oxford University Press |
| ISBN (Electronic) | 9780199864997 |
| ISBN (Print) | 0195187415, 9780195187410 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Aug 17 2006 |
Keywords
- Disease clusters
- Disease outbreak
- Epidemiological studies
- Epidemiology
- Public health practice