NSG 280 Texas University Case Study.(Gastroenteritis) Complete Version

This case study is based on a real-life outbreak investigation undertaken in Texas in 1998. Some aspects of the original outbreak and investigation have been altered, however, to assist in meeting t he desired teaching objectives and allow completion of the case study in less than 3 hours. Students should be aware that this case study describes and promotes one particular approach to foodborne disease outbreak investigation. Procedures and policies in outbreak investigations, however, can vary from country to country, state to state, and outbreak to outbreak. It is anticipated that the epidemiologist investigating a foodborne disease outbreak will work within the framework of an “investigation team” which includes persons with expertise in epidemiology, microbiology, sanitation, food science, and environmental health. It is through the collaborative efforts of this team, with each member playing a critical role, that outbreak investigations are successfully completed