Assignment – Outbreak Critique – 10 points

Chapter 1 in Dworkin describes how an outbreak is investigated.  He summarizes the steps on page 2 in Exhibit 1 – 1.  However, he also states the following caveat: “Although the steps may not always occur in exactly this order, this is the general pattern of events.  It is not unusual for more than one step to be occurring at the same time…..It is important to recognize that a list of outbreak investigation steps is less of a recipe to be followed precisely than it is guidance.” Chapters 2, 3 and 13 all describe water-borne outbreaks.  CHOOSE ONE CHAPTER and critique the outbreak response as described using the steps on page 2, Exhibit 1 – 1.  Describe the outbreak briefly (2 points) and how well each step was followed (or not followed) (5 points).   Critique the response (3 points).  For instance, are the steps out of order?  Is that OK?  Which steps were most critical? Could anything have been done better?

Grading:

Brief description of outbreak - 2 points

Analysis of steps – 5 points

Overall critique – 3 points