Question

Discussion #5:

1. In terms of epidemic patterns: 1) point source, 2) intermittent or continuous, and 3) propagated. For each of the following outbreak settings, choose the most likely epidemic pattern and explain your answer.

A. Outbreak of salmonellosis traced to turkey cooked and held at an improper temperature and served at a pot-luck supper.

B. Outbreak of influenza among nursing home residents, new cases occurring over a 3-week period (Hint: incubation period for influenza is less than 5days.)

C. Episodic cases of Legionnaires’ disease in hospitalized patients traced to showers and the hospital’s water supply.

Answer 1

A. Point source epidemic pattern. It is outbreak occur due to single exposure. They can result from contamination of the environment such as air, water, food and soil. Here salmonellosis is occur due to improper cooking.

B. It is propagated epidemic pattern. It is result from person to person contact. Influenza virus transmitted through direct contact or fomite.

C. Intermittent epidemic pattern. A well contaminated water or food (common source produced an out break. Here Legionnaires disease occur due to a common source such as hospital's water supply.