John Hay
John Hay Biomedical
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Genetics of Disease (Medical Interventions)
Unit 1: Unit 1.1 Outbreak InvestigationMI 1.1Biotechnology Research and Experiments

Build An Outbreak Line List

Use infection evidence to build an outbreak line list step by step.

Builds on (2 levels back)inferred · high confidence
  • Transmission basics: Outbreak work depends on agent, host, route, time, and place.
  • Case definition: Students need a rule for who counts as a case before counting cases.

Prerequisites are inferred: pending teacher review.

Re-learn the skill with worked practice and clear examples.

Use infection evidence to build an outbreak line list step by step.

Step 1: Learn the key
Track the [blank], route of transmission, time pattern, and exposed [blank] before making an outbreak claim.
CaseSymptomOnsetExposure
AcrampsTue 8 PMcafeteria
BcrampsTue 9 PMcafeteria
Cnone--no cafeteria
Outbreak line list
Step 2: Use the model
Read the figure, table, control, range, or protocol before choosing an answer.
Step 3: Name the limit
Say what the evidence can support and what it cannot prove yet.
Practice

Use the infection figure/table. Which evidence best supports a shared-source outbreak?

Reviewed
CaseSymptomOnsetExposure
AcrampsTue 8 PMcafeteria
BcrampsTue 9 PMcafeteria
Cnone--no cafeteria
Outbreak line list
  1. A.Several cases share the same exposure and close onset times
  2. B.One person feels tired with no exposure data
  3. C.A graph has bright colors
  4. D.No cases meet the definition
Show the worked solution ▾

Answer: A. Several cases share the same exposure and close onset times

  1. Step 1: Find shared exposure: A shared source means cases have a common exposure.
  2. Step 2: Check timing: Close onset times strengthen the pattern.

Why it's right: Shared exposure plus close timing supports a shared-source outbreak.

Why the others miss:
  • B: One vague symptom is weak.
  • C: Colors are not epidemiologic evidence.
  • D: No cases means no outbreak pattern.

Aligned to Biotechnology Research and Experiments · reading level ~grade 9

Where you'd see this
  • In Unit 1.1 Outbreak Investigation, this skill turns class evidence into a result another person can check.
Careers that use this
Epidemiologist: Uses build an outbreak line list to make a decision from evidence without overclaiming.
Video library
Watch: Build An Outbreak Line List
CDC NERD Academy Student Quick Learn: How is an outbreak investigated?
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Guided notes

Fill these in as you work through the lesson.

Big idea: Use infection evidence to build an outbreak line list step by step.
Key terms: write the meaning
  • Pathogen (disease-causing agent):  
  • Transmission (how a pathogen spreads):  
  • Reservoir (where pathogen lives):  
  • Case (person who fits outbreak definition):  
The rule

Track the  , route of transmission, time pattern, and exposed   before making an outbreak claim.

Check yourself
  1. Who fits the case definition? 
  2. What exposure do cases share? 
  3. What timing pattern appears? 
Work one example

Use the infection diagram or line list to practice build an outbreak line list.