Elements and Performance Criteria
- Gather data in support of the investigation
- Relevant personnel within affected organisation are liaised with to gain consent for investigation and to inform them of the process to be undertaken.
- Factors affecting the complexityof the investigation are determined and addressed to facilitate commencement of investigation activities.
- Persons assisting with the investigation are tasked and provided with appropriate guidance to enable them to assist independently.
- Verification of outbreak is confirmed by comparison of reported cases with the usual incidence of cases experienced.
- If possible, presumptive diagnosis is obtained from medical officer to focus investigation effort.
- Initial control measures are instigated to limit the spread of disease and to provide early treatment to those displaying symptoms of the disease.
- Interviews are conducted with both affected and nonaffected personnel to identify the common factors in the outbreak of disease including the potential source/s of disease.
- Information gathered is treated as inconfidence and is only disclosed to persons needing to know who are assisting in the investigation.
- Questionnaires are administered to both affected and nonaffected personnel to elicit further information of the common factors in the outbreak of disease.
- Onsite inspections are conducted of places found to be common to those affected by the disease to gather site information to assist with the identification of the disease source/s.
- Equipment is used during onsite inspection in accordance with organisational policies and procedures.
- Analyse data to classify the path of disease
- Data from all sources is collated to enable comparison and analysis.
- Data assessed as being not related to the disease outbreak is removed to enable accurate analysis.
- Characteristics of the disease are assessed to determine the route of disease and likely targets.
- Disease attack rate is determined to establish the cumulative incidence rate of disease over the period of the outbreak.
- Data is used to develop an endemic curve diagram to show the spread of infection over time and to identify the likely incidents of exposure to the disease.
- Attack rate data and likely incidence of exposure are used as a basis for identifying risk factors present in disease outbreak to focus the scope of further investigation.
- Further data is gathered, based on the identified risk factors, and is integrated into analysis.
- Information gathered during onsite inspection, such as sample testing results, is compared with analysis findings to classify the disease source, route and target.
- Finding from the analysis are documented and communicated to relevant personnel to enable appropriate notification to occur and to inform the development of control measures.
- Determine and implement disease control measures
- Compliance factors are reviewed to identify the systemic issues which may have contributed to the disease outbreak and which require corrective action.
- Clean up procedures are determined to allow facilities and/or the environment connected with the source of disease to return to normal activity as soon as possible.
- Monitoring procedures are determined to confirm compliance with initial clean up and adherence with organisational policies and procedures aimed at preventing the spread of disease.
- Disease control measures are determined to provide both immediate and long term control of disease including prevention and early detection.
- Investigation findings and disease control measures are compiled into a disease outbreak report and issued to relevant personnel for review and implementation.
- Those directly and indirectly involved in the disease outbreak are debriefed to clarify the investigation outcomes and to provide an opportunity for learning on the prevention of disease.
- Disease control measures are integrated with the wider environmental health support plan to apply lessons learned in the disease outbreak to other operating areas and groups.