This case study explores the processes for establishing surveillance and screening criteria and data capture for COVID-19 prior to an index case detection, and also for rapidly containing identified cases. It is based largely on the experience of Rwanda in quickly and proactively planning for COVID-19 cases, screening incoming travelers, and establishing effective and innovative testing and contact tracing procedures.

Participants will play the role of a health official in Rwanda involved in disease surveillance prior to the arrival of the first in-country case, and after the identification of Rwanda’s index case.

This case study has 6 parts and takes approximately 1 hour 30 minutes to complete. For the best experience, work through each part in order, beginning with Part 1: A Pandemic Emerges.

Target Audience

Field Epidemiology Training Program (FETP) residents, and alumni, and other public health practitioners interested in understanding the processes for establishing surveillance and screening criteria and data capture for COVID-19 prior to an index case detection and rapidly containing identified cases.

Before taking this case study, the learner should already be familiar with basic epidemiology and descriptive epidemiology, surveillance operations; and outbreak investigation.

Language

• English

Case Study Learning Objectives:

After completing this case study, you will be able to:

• Review the key features of a surveillance system.

• Describe the operation of a surveillance system in a local area.

• Describe steps of an outbreak investigation.

• Describe the optimal roles of the laboratory in outbreak investigations.

• Define and calculate sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value.

• Explain limitations in surveillance data.

• Describe biases that can occur in surveillance data.

• Discuss factors that affect community compliance with public health initiatives and mitigation measures that can be implemented to enhance community engagement.

• Differentiate between indicator-based surveillance (IBS) and event-based surveillance (EBS) sources.

• Propose recommendations for how indicator-based surveillance (IBS) and event-based surveillance (EBS) sources can be strengthened and used at various levels.

• Propose an approach for investigating and containing an outbreak. 

• Develop a single overarching communication outcome (SOCO).