Abstract
This case study was written as part of a fellowship in biosafety and biosecurity organised by the German Biosecurity Programme, namely the Global Partnership Initiated Biosecurity Academia for Controlling Health Threats (GIBACHT). Among other objectives, the fellowship focuses on equipping participants with the skills of developing their own country-specific case studies with focus on biosafety- and biosecurity-related scenarios. Upon completion of the underlying case study, participants should be able to identify some existing gaps with regards to early detection and investigation of outbreaks, describe the key steps in outbreak investigation, explain the role of communication and coordination among the various stakeholders in outbreak investigations and analyse epidemiological data obtained during outbreak investigations. They should also be able to suggest appropriate control and prevention measures for specific disease outbreaks with focus on foodborne outbreaks and to distinguish between biosafety and biosecurity concepts.
Keywords: Case study, biosafety, biosecurity, outbreak investigation, epidemiology, communication
How to use this case study
General instruction
This case study should be used as an add-on training and capacity-building resource for public health and epidemiology trainees meant to complement the theoretical aspects learned through lectures and/or other formats in a practical way. Also, it can serve as a supplementary material in the context of in-service training activities for frontline public health professionals to refresh their knowledge and skills regarding the principles and concept of outbreak investigation and related biosafety as well as biosecurity matters. Ideally, the case study should be led by 2 facilitators per group of around 5 participants each. To enhance interactivity, participants should read the subsequent paragraphs of the case study in turns. Discussions within the group during the conduction of the case study constitute a key element of the process and should be oriented towards the collective identification of an outbreak investigation strategy as a team. Respectively, facilitators should lead the discussion through guiding questions and further hints making use of materials such as flip charts. The integration of role plays as a facilitation method can also enhance the overall interactivity of the case study at hand.
Audience
The underlying case study targets a broad range of public health professionals working in outbreak prevention and control, especially disease control and surveillance officers, students of epidemiology training programs and other public health practitioners.
Prerequisites
Prior to the use of this case study, participants should have basic background knowledge of the principles of outbreak investigation as well as biosafety and biosecurity issues related to the handling of samples in the context of outbreak investigations.
Materials required
Computer with MS Excel or other spreadsheet software, pen, notebooks, calculator, flip charts and markers.
Level of training and associated public health activity
Intermediate level in outbreak investigation
Time required
This case study is expected to take between 2.5 to 3 hours.
Language
English
Case study material
Request the case study facilitator guide: contact info@gibacht.org
Acknowledgement
The authors wish to acknowledge the Global Partnership Initiated Academia for Controlling Health Threats (GIBACHT) and their funding body, the German Federal Foreign Office, for their support in developing this case study.
Footnotes
Cite this article: Fortress Yayra Aku et al. Investigation of an outbreak caused by an unknown infectious pathogen in rural Zola. Pan African Medical Journal. 2021;40(2):5. 10.11604/pamj.supp.2021.40.2.30990
Competing interests
The authors declare no competing interests.
References
- 1.Ministry of Health Ghana . 2nd edition 2011. Technical guidelines Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response Ghana. [Google Scholar]
- 2.Centre for Disease Control Prevention Principles of Epidemiology in Public Health Practice. 2012. May, Accessed on 02 August 2021.
- 3.Alexander L, Mejia GC. Embarking on an Outbreak Investigation. 2003;1(3):1–5. [Google Scholar]
- 4.Hashmey R, Genta RM, White AC. Parasites and diarrhea. I: Protozoans and diarrhea. J Travel Med. 1997 Mar 1;4(1):17–31. doi: 10.1111/j.1708-8305.1997.tb00769.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- 5.Kirk MD, Fullerton KE, Hall GV, Gregory J, Stafford R, Veitch MG, et al. Surveillance for Outbreaks of Gastroenteritis in Long? Term Care Facilities, Australia, 2002-2008. Clin Infect Dis. 2010 Oct 15;51(8):907–14. doi: 10.1086/656406. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- 6.World Health Organisation Biorisk management Laboratory biosecurity guidance Biorisk management Laboratory biosecurity guidance. 2006. Sep,
- 7.Barbé B, Verdonck K, Mukendi D, Lejon V, Lilo Kalo JR, Alirol E, et al. The art of writing and implementing standard operating procedures (SOPs) for laboratories in low-resource settings: review of guidelines and best practices. PLoS neglected tropical diseases. 2016 Nov 3;10(11):e0005053. doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0005053. eCollection 2016 Nov. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- 8.World Health Organisation Guidance on regulations for the Transport of Infectious Substances the Transport of Infectious Substances. 2008;January 2007:13–6. Accessed on 02 August 2021. [Google Scholar]
- 9.Reintjes R, Zanuzdana A. Modern Infectious Disease Epidemiology: Concepts, Methods, Mathematical Models, and Public Health. Outbreak Investigations. 2009:159–176. [Google Scholar]
- 10.Torok M. Epidemic Curves Ahead. Focus on Field Epidemiology. 2003;1(5):1–6. [Google Scholar]