Background

This self-study eLearning case study is based on investigations undertaken in 2018 by the Uganda Public Health Fellowship Program. However, the case study is not a fully factual account of these investigations; facts and events have been altered to support the learning objectives.

This case study was developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Training Programs in Epidemiology and Public Health Interventions Network (TEPHINET), Public Health Informatics Institute (PHII), and Brass Drum Media. Jeanette Stehr-Green, MD, was the lead author. The authors would like to acknowledge the original outbreak investigation team, especially Esther Kisaakye and Kenneth Bainomugisha, the lead investigators and Kween District Rapid Response Team.

Level of Case Study

FETP-Intermediate

Time Required

Approximately 5½ hours, excluding break(s). 

Language

English, French, Spanish

Target Audience

Learners from intermediate-level Field Epidemiology Training Programs (FETPs) are the primary target audience for this case study, but it is flexible enough for use by learners from FETP-Frontline, FETP-Advanced (including FETP-V [veterinary] and FELTP [laboratory]) as well as interested public health students and workers, and others who are interested in this topic.

Prerequisites: For this case study, participants should have received instruction or conducted readings on the steps of an outbreak investigation and basic epidemiologic study design. This includes defining an outbreak, constructing a case definition, developing a case investigation form and calculating relative risks.

Learning Objectives and Format

After completing this case study, the learner should be able to:

• Characterize cases associated with an outbreak by time, place, and person.
• Develop and refine hypotheses about the source of an outbreak.
• Analyze and interpret findings from a cohort study.
• List examples of how concurrent investigations of a zoonotic disease in animals and in humans can inform disease detection, investigation, and control efforts.
• Describe investigation team practices that facilitate a collaborative One Health response to an outbreak.
• Describe signs and symptoms, transmission, and control of anthrax in humans and animals.

The eLearning case study has six parts. For the best self-study experience, the learner should work through each part in order, beginning with Part 1. Throughout the case study, there are supporting lessons and questions. 

Access

The eLearning case study does not have separate participant and instructor files. Anyone accessing it will complete it as a participant.

The case study can be accessed online (requires ongoing Internet access) and as a downloadable version.

If closing and returning to the case study from the same device, progress will be saved. If returning with a different device, the case study starts from the beginning and the Menu can be used to return to the previous point.

For any issues or questions, please contact learning@tephinet.org.

Disclaimer

This case study was supported by TEPHINET, a program of the Task Force for Global Health, Inc., through Cooperative Agreement number NU2GGH001873, funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Department of Health and Human Services, The Task Force for Global Health, Inc. or TEPHINET.