Question

Please perform calculations and respond to the following questions.

Question 1: One hundred and eight (108) cases of staphylococcal food poisoning were reported in a rural community in August 1989. Incubation period was 2-6 hours. First case occurred at 8:00 p.m., August 6 and last case occurred at 4:00 a.m., August 7, 1989. Peak of cases was at 10:00 p.m.

Based on the information provided above, what was the most likely period of exposure to the source of epidemic among the cases? (5 points)

Answer 1

Source of epidemic:

1. exposure must be brief and simultaneous. That is immediate and concurrent.

2. All cases must be developed within one incubation period.

3. Hises and falls rapidly, no secondary waves.

4. Trend to be explosive with clustering of cases within narrow interval of time.

5. All cases developed within one incubation period.