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Step 5: Perform
Descriptive Epidemiology
•Once data have been collected, the epidemic can be described in terms of person, place, and time
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•An epidemic curve can be drawn to provide further information about the agent and source
Speaking Points

•Once data have been collected, the epidemic can be described in terms of person, place, and time

•This is done in an attempt to determine what the case-patients might have in common, for example, do they live in the same area? Did they eat at the same restaurant? Did they recently travel to the same destination?

•An epidemic curve can be drawn to provide further information about the agent and source