31
Step 2: Establish the Existence
of an Outbreak
•Before proceeding with the investigation, one must confirm that the suspected outbreak is a real outbreak
•
•This is done by comparing the observed number of cases to the historically expected number of cases
Speaking Points

•Before proceeding with the investigation, one must confirm that the suspected outbreak is a real outbreak

•This is done by comparing observed number of cases to the historically expected number of cases

•Make sure suspected outbreak is not just due to normal seasonal variation

•This is what surveillance data are for – the collection of baseline data to use historically in order to determine if there is any deviation from the norm