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National Centre Epidemiology & Population Health · ANU College of Law, Governance and Policy
Outbreak investigation is a central aspect of applied epidemiology which aims to control the outbreak and prevent future outbreaks. The Outbreak Investigation course is designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills to undertake outbreak investigations in the field. The course combines theory with outbreak investigation case studies based on real-life outbreaks. This course may be delivered during a standard semester or as an intensive course. Please check yearly scheduling information for details.
Online quiz
Learning outcomes 1, 2
Outbreak investigation proposal
Learning outcomes 1, 2, 5
Outbreak investigation report
Learning outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
Critical discussion paper
Learning outcomes 1, 2, 6
The course is a mixture of pre-recorded and live lectures, tutorials and guided case study work. The expected workload will consist of approximately 130 hours throughout the semester including: - Face-to face component which may consist of 1 x 2-hour tutorials per week. - Approximately 106 hours of self-directed study including recorded lectures and preparation for assignments. Students are expected to actively participate and contribute towards discussions based on the lectures via the online discussion forum and in the tutorials. Other Information Course topics will include: · Introduction to outbreak investigation · Ethical considerations in outbreak investigations · Teams in outbreak investigations · Case definitions and case finding · Hypothesis generation · Study designs used in outbreaks · Data collection and analysis for outbreaks · Bias, confounding and effect modification in outbreaks · Environmental investigation · Control measures and managing outbreaks · Risk assessment framework and risk communication Please note this is a master degree course, undergraduate students cannot enrol into this course unless you have an approved vertical double degree (VDD) study plan.
Recommended: - Michael Gregg (Ed). Field Epidemiology (3rd Edition) Oxford University Press, New York 2008. ISBN: 978-0-19-531380-2 This is a practical book that focuses predominantly on outbreak investigations and infectious diseases but covers a number of other topics also relevant to applied epidemiology. Students may also find the following texts useful: - Porta M. A Dictionary of Epidemiology (6th Ed). New York: Oxford University Press, 2014. The updated edition of this classic text, sponsored by the International Epidemiological Association (IEA) and previously edited by John Last, remains the definitive dictionary in epidemiology worldwide. - Bonita R, Beaglehole R and Kjellstrom T Basic Epidemiology 2nd Ed World Health Organization 2008 This freely available online book provides a good grounding in epidemiological concepts and will be particularly useful for anyone needing to revise their basic epidemiology skills. - Giesecke J. Modern Infectious Diseases Epidemiology 2nd Edition 2002 This book provides clear explanations of many aspects of infectious diseases epidemiology - David L Heymann (Ed) Control of Communicable Diseases Manual 20th Edition American Public Health Association, Washington DC 2014 This practical handbook, which summarises the relevant information about important pathogens, can be found in most public health units in the world.