Surveillance for E. coli O157:H7: Information for Action

This case study focuses on whether E. coli O157:H7 should be added to Oregon's reportable disease list and the difficulties in dealing with an outbreak apparently linked to raw milk (1993).

Learning Objectives:

• Discuss the process and criteria for placing a disease or condition on a state or national notifiable disease list;
• List the categories of information that should be included in a surveillance instrument;
• Summarize and interpret surveillance data; and
• Recognize difficulties in balancing public health concerns with consumer and industry considerations in emerging issues.