CDC's new computer-based case study.After receiving a call from two university students, health department investigators learn that many more students are sick with vomiting vomiting, ejection of food and other matter from the stomach through the mouth, often preceded by nausea. The process is initiated by stimulation of the vomiting center of the brain by nerve impulses from the gastrointestinal tract or other part of the body. and diarrhea. Do the cases represent an outbreak, and, if so, what is the source? How should the problem be investigated? What can be done to stop it? Work through Gastroenteritis gastroenteritis: see enteritis. gastroenteritis Acute infectious syndrome of the stomach lining and intestines. Symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal cramps. at a University in Texas, a computer-based case study, and help health department investigators find the answers to these questions and more. Based on a real-life outbreak investigation, this self-instructional, interactive exercise from CDC See Control Data, century date change and Back Orifice. CDC - Control Data Corporation teaches public health practitioners epidemiologic skills in outbreak investigation and allows them to apply and practice those skills. Students work through an outbreak investigation from beginning to end. They see photographs and details from the outbreak, answer questions about the investigation, and see the end results. In addition, they can access a variety of tools within the case study including reference materials, Web sites, and special lessons to learn more about epidemiology and foodborne diseases. An interactive interface and an engaging storyline Noun 1. storyline - the plot of a book or play or film plot line plot - the story that is told in a novel or play or movie etc.; "the characters were well drawn but the plot was banal" allow students to feel as if they are part of the investigation. Gastroenteritis at a University in Texas is the third in the Food-borne Disease Outbreak Investigation Case Study Series. The first case study in the series was Botulism botulism (bŏch`əlĭz'əm), acute poisoning resulting from ingestion of food containing toxins produced by the bacillus Clostridium botulinum. in Argentina (released in 2002), and the second was E. coli E. coli: see Escherichia coli. E. coli in full Escherichia coli Species of bacterium that inhabits the stomach and intestines. E. coli can be transmitted by water, milk, food, or flies and other insects. 0157:H7 Infection in Michigan (released in 2004). Created for students with knowledge of basic epidemiologic and public health concepts, these case studies have advantages over traditional classroom training and some formats of distance learning in that students * can complete the case study when it is convenient to their schedules and can do so at their own pace; * do not need an instructor or special meeting place; * can select which learning activities to undertake and focus on areas in which they are deficient or that are most relevant to their job activities; and * must process information, not simply regurgitate re·gur·gi·tate v. 1. To rush or surge back. 2. To cause to pour back, especially to cast up partially digested food. re·gur facts and formulas. The three case studies comprise a curriculum, and together they cover a wide range of outbreak investigation topics. All three case studies can be downloaded for free or purchased on CD-ROM CD-ROM: see compact disc. CD-ROM in full compact disc read-only memory Type of computer storage medium that is read optically (e.g., by a laser). through the Epidemiologic Case Studies Web site at www.cdc.gov/epicasestudies/. Students can receive continuing-education credits (e.g., CEUs, CMEs, CNEs, CECHs) for completing each case study--and have fun while they do it! |
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