Table. The 10 Steps for an Outbreak Investigation as Presented by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention^a.

1	Prepare for field work
2	Establish the existence of an outbreak
3	Verify the diagnosis
4	Define an identify cases
5	Describe and orient the data in terms of time, place, and person
6	Develop hypotheses
7	Evaluate hypotheses
8	Refine hypothesis and carry out of additional studies
9	Implement control and prevention measures
10	Communicate findings

^aAdapted with permission from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.5