CHS 495 Outbreak Investigation Final
Exam Review Questions and
Answers7
What is MRSA? - ANSWERS-A type of staph bacteria that is resistant to several antibiotics.
MEASLES - ANSWERS-A HIGHLY CONTAGIOUS RESPIRATORY ILLNESS CAUSED BY A VIRUS
Dengue Fever - ANSWERS-is a tropical/subtropical disease. Dengue virus is vector transmitted.
Salmonella - ANSWERS-Salmonella is a bacterium that causes one of the most common enteric
(intestinal) infections in the United States - salmonellosis.
Salmonella Rissen stats - ANSWERS-is a very rare serotpye in the US.
2004, 7 cases.
2005, 5 cases.
2006, 18 cases.
Among top 10 in Thailand.
Pork & Chicken products in Thailand, and tropical seafood in India.
Cluster - ANSWERS-Two or more cases of a relatively uncommon event or disease related in
time and/or place perceived to be greater than expected by chance
Define an outbreak - ANSWERS-The occurrence of more cases of a disease than would be
expected for a particular place and time.
, Discuss the development of a case definition - ANSWERS-A standard set of criteria for deciding
whether an individual should be classified as having the disease of interest.
Can be modified as more data are obtained.
Do not include the hypothesis being tested in the case definition.
Differentiate between a strict case definition and a loose case definition - ANSWERS-Strict: hard
to meet, less cases.
Loose: easy to meet, more cases
Describe the difference between a sensitive case and a specific case definition - ANSWERS-
Sensitive: More cases, Loose cases definition.
Specific: Less cases, Strict case Definition.
Explain when you would use each type of case definition and a specific case definition -
ANSWERS-If I need to find every single case = Loose.
If I'm trying to figure out a specific cause = Strict
Point Source Epi curve. - ANSWERS-Common source of exposure (contaminated food or
handler).
All exposures seem to have a short incubation period. Then a sudden increase in number of
cases, followed by a decline.
Exam Review Questions and
Answers7
What is MRSA? - ANSWERS-A type of staph bacteria that is resistant to several antibiotics.
MEASLES - ANSWERS-A HIGHLY CONTAGIOUS RESPIRATORY ILLNESS CAUSED BY A VIRUS
Dengue Fever - ANSWERS-is a tropical/subtropical disease. Dengue virus is vector transmitted.
Salmonella - ANSWERS-Salmonella is a bacterium that causes one of the most common enteric
(intestinal) infections in the United States - salmonellosis.
Salmonella Rissen stats - ANSWERS-is a very rare serotpye in the US.
2004, 7 cases.
2005, 5 cases.
2006, 18 cases.
Among top 10 in Thailand.
Pork & Chicken products in Thailand, and tropical seafood in India.
Cluster - ANSWERS-Two or more cases of a relatively uncommon event or disease related in
time and/or place perceived to be greater than expected by chance
Define an outbreak - ANSWERS-The occurrence of more cases of a disease than would be
expected for a particular place and time.
, Discuss the development of a case definition - ANSWERS-A standard set of criteria for deciding
whether an individual should be classified as having the disease of interest.
Can be modified as more data are obtained.
Do not include the hypothesis being tested in the case definition.
Differentiate between a strict case definition and a loose case definition - ANSWERS-Strict: hard
to meet, less cases.
Loose: easy to meet, more cases
Describe the difference between a sensitive case and a specific case definition - ANSWERS-
Sensitive: More cases, Loose cases definition.
Specific: Less cases, Strict case Definition.
Explain when you would use each type of case definition and a specific case definition -
ANSWERS-If I need to find every single case = Loose.
If I'm trying to figure out a specific cause = Strict
Point Source Epi curve. - ANSWERS-Common source of exposure (contaminated food or
handler).
All exposures seem to have a short incubation period. Then a sudden increase in number of
cases, followed by a decline.
