Outbreak Investigation

Computational Tools Can Facilitate Analysis of Infectious Disease Outbreaks

Computational models play an increasingly important role in the assessment and control of public health crises, as demonstrated during the 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic. Much research has been done in recent years in the development of sophisticated data-driven models for ...More
February 7, 2011
Posted in News
Outbreak Detection, Control and Response is Among New Health Promotion Strategy

The National Prevention, Health Promotion, and Public Health Council has released a draft National Prevention and Health Promotion Strategy for public comment. The National Prevention Strategy will include actions that address prevention and promote healthy development and ...More
January 17, 2011
Posted in News
CDC Announces Laboratory Test Results of Cholera Outbreak Strain in Haiti

The Haitian Ministry of Public Health and Population has received the results of laboratory testing showing that the cholera strain linked to the current outbreak in Haiti is most similar to cholera strains found in South Asia. More information about this strain, including ...More
November 1, 2010
Posted in News
Asymptomatic Food Handlers Shouldn't Be Overlooked in Outbreak Investigations

Although food handlers may be asymptomatic, it is crucial for outbreak investigators to consider these individuals' role in the food preparation process, researchers say in a new study published in BMC Infectious Diseases. Barrabeig, et al. (2010) report that in July 2005, ...More
September 15, 2010
Posted in News
Outbreak Illustrates Risk of 'Imported' Measles

An outbreak of measles at an international youth soccer event illustrates the risks of "imported" measles, according to a study in the September issue of the Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal. Measles "imported" from countries with lower vaccination ...More
September 8, 2010
Posted in News
Lab is Developing Rapid Test for Cultivated Pathogens

Researchers at Rice University have won federal support to develop a genomic test that can quickly determine whether a disease outbreak is caused by a natural pathogen or one that was grown in a lab by terrorists. The three-year grant -- Rice's first from the Defense Threat ...More
August 17, 2010
Posted in News
Legionellosis Outbreak: A Moving Target

Determining the source of an infectious outbreak can be difficult in and of itself, but a moving reservoir adds to the challenges. That's what researchers encountered when investigating cases of Legionnaires' disease that kept presenting in one city in Spain. ...More
August 11, 2010
Posted in News
Firm Files First Salmonella Lawsuit in Outbreaks That Have Sickened 155 in 21 States

The first salmonella lawsuit has been filed in the pair of salmonella outbreaks that has sickened 155 people in 21 states. ...More
August 9, 2010
Posted in News
Electronic Surveillance is Key to HAI Investigation

Electronic surveillance is becoming a critical tool in an infection preventionist's arsenal of tools with which to fight healthcare-acquired infections (HAIs). ICT presents the following case studies to highlight the benefits of using informatics in infection prevention and ...More
July 26, 2010
Posted in Articles
Swift Actions Stop Outbreak at Dallas Hospital

Rapid identification and aggressive infection control measures allowed a Dallas hospital to stop the spread of Acinetobacter baumannii. ...More
July 13, 2010
Posted in News