This interactive case study immerses participants in a real-world foodborne illness outbreak at a hotel. The session provides practical experience for participants with basic epidemiologic knowledge.
Learning Objectives
- Identify and define foodborne illness outbreaks
- Master the systematic steps of outbreak investigation
- Craft effective case interview strategies
- Build precise outbreak case definitions
- Construct and analyze epidemic curves
- Apply epidemiological study methods in outbreak scenarios
- Perform and interpret relative risk calculations
- Conduct thorough traceback investigations
Format & Time Commitment
This case study is designed to be discussed in-person or via bi-directional video with a small
group (up to 15 participants) led by an instructor or facilitator with experience investigating
foodborne outbreaks. We recommend allowing 2 hours to complete the case study.
Required materials may include pens, paper, a whiteboard, and calculators. Some activities
would benefit from having internet access.
Prerequisites & Audience
No prerequisites. Appropriate audiences: public health students, new outbreak investigators, or public health staff needing a skill review.