Outbreak Investigations Around the World: Case Studies in Infectious Disease Field Epidemiology

Outbreak investigation is one of the primary and most critical activities in epidemiology. Infectious disease outbreaks always require intense, rapid on-site response and gain front page headlines. Bacterial or viral outbreaks occur quickly, and students and professionals should know how to react. This title uses Field Epidemiology - the application of epidemiology methods for unexpected health problems requiring fast, on-site investigation for timely intervention.

Outbreak Investigations Around the World is a collection of 19 case studies some never before published that uncover the details of actual infectious disease outbreaks from within the U.S. and around the world. Each case study is retold by the investigator who recalls the critical issues considered along the way. Investigators share valuable lessons learned, providing exceptional and unique educational value to each of the chapters. Some of the most interesting investigations included in the text are: Legionnaires pneumonia in Philadelphia; The beginning of the AIDS epidemic The anthrax investigations in New York City; A cluster of pork tapeworm infections in Orthodox Jews; An Ebola hemorrhagic fever outbreak in Africa; A syphilis outbreak associated with an internet chat room; A deadly hepatitis B outbreak in an Israeli hospital.