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Step 4: Define & Identify Cases
•Once the case definition is established, it is used to identify additional cases
This photograph shows a CDC, Public Health Advisor (PHA) interviewing a resident of a disease stricken community.
Speaking Points

•Once the case definition is established, there are many ways to use this to identify additional cases from as many sources as possible. Investigating epidemiologists may contact health care facilities, use the media to alert the public, and even contact potential case-patients using restaurant patrons’ telephone numbers from their credit card receipts in the event of a food borne illness

•Cases are categorized as confirmed, probable, or possible