CONTINUATION (EPIDEMIOLOGY AND THE NURSE)

NATURAL LIFE HISTORY OF THE DISEASE

epidemiological triangle
EPIDEMIOLOGICAL INVESTIGATION – OUTLINE OF PLAN

1. ESTABLISH FACT OF PRESENCE OF EPIDEMIC

• VERIFY DIAGNOSIS-do clinical and a laboratory studies to confirm the data
• Is the disease that which is reported to be?
• Are all the cases due to the same disease
• REPORTING
• Is it reasonable complete
• Is it prompt enough so that cases reported to date represent a fairly accurate picture of the
present situation?
• Is there an unusual prevalence of the disease?
• Past experience of a given community
• Relation to nature of the disease
• Which cases may be considered epidemic and which are endemic?

2. ESTABLISH TIME AND SPACE RELATIONSHIP OF THE DISEASE

• Are the cases limited to or concentrated in any particular geographical subdivision of the
affected community?
• Relation of cases by days of onset of the 1st known cases-maybe dony by days, wek, or months?
3. RELATION TO CHARACTERISTIC OF THE GROUP OF COMMUNITY
• Relation of cases to age, group, sex, color, occupation, school attendance, past immunization,
etc.
• Relation of sanitary facilities, esp. water supply, sewerage disposal, general sanitation of homes,
relation to animal or insect vectors
• Relation to milk and food supply
• Relation of cases and known carriers if any

4. CORRELATION OF ALL DATA OBTAINED

• Summarize the data clearly with the aid of such tables, charts, -to give a clear picture of the
situation.
• Build up the case for the final conclusion, utilizing all the evidences available.
• Establish the source of the epidemic and the manner of the spread, if possible.
• Make suggestion as to the control, if disease is still present in community and as to prevention of
future outbreaks.