For this Discussion, read the following scenario, and then address the following question in 1–2 paragraphs:
For the month of August, 12 new cases of tuberculosis and 12 new cases of West Nile virus infection were reported to a county health department. You are not sure if either group of cases is a cluster or an outbreak.
What additional information might be helpful in making this determination? Why? How would you obtain this information?
If they have no apparent cause, a cluster. Now if a few dead birds with West Nile and avian TB were found, ...it would be an outbreak, as a link or cause is known.
ido no
To determine whether the cases of tuberculosis and West Nile virus infection in August are clusters or outbreaks, additional information is needed. This information can help assess if the number of cases is within the expected range for the population in that area or if it exceeds the norm. One crucial piece of information is the baseline incidence or prevalence of these diseases in the county. By comparing the reported cases to the expected number of cases, it becomes possible to identify any unusual patterns or spikes.
Obtaining this information would entail conducting a retrospective analysis of historical data from the county health department or similar reliable sources. This data would provide information on the average number of cases typically observed in a given month or time period. Additionally, consulting epidemiological studies, surveillance reports, or published literature on the incidence and prevalence of tuberculosis and West Nile virus in the region could further inform this analysis. The objective is to compare the reported cases of tuberculosis and West Nile virus to the expected number in order to determine if there is an increase that warrants concern.