Manual for investigating suspected outbreaks of illnesses of possible chemical etiology: guidance for investigation and control
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World Health Organization
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xiii, 102 p.
This manual provides practical guidance for investigating clusters and outbreaks of illness in which exposure to a chemical substance is suspected as a possible cause. Developed for public health and allied professionals, it addresses situations in which the etiology of disease is initially unknown and requires systematic assessment to determine whether chemical exposure may be responsible. The publication responds to the growing public health importance of chemical incidents and environmental contamination, which can affect individuals, communities or large populations and may have national or international implications. The manual presents a structured, multidisciplinary approach to outbreak investigation, integrating epidemiological, environmental, clinical, toxicological and laboratory evidence. It describes the key stages of detection, alerting and reporting, information gathering and evaluation, preliminary assessment of etiology, field investigation and completion of the investigation. In addition, it outlines principles of risk assessment, risk management and risk communication, as well as ethical considerations relevant to outbreak investigations. Through practical guidance, case studies and technical annexes, the document supports coordinated decision-making and strengthens the capacity of public health systems to identify, assess and control outbreaks of suspected chemical origin.
This manual provides practical guidance for investigating clusters and outbreaks of illness in which exposure to a chemical substance is suspected as a possible cause. Developed for public health and allied professionals, it addresses situations in which the etiology of disease is initially unknown and requires systematic assessment to determine whether chemical exposure may be responsible. The publication responds to the growing public health importance of chemical incidents and environmental contamination, which can affect individuals, communities or large populations and may have national or international implications. The manual presents a structured, multidisciplinary approach to outbreak investigation, integrating epidemiological, environmental, clinical, toxicological and laboratory evidence. It describes the key stages of detection, alerting and reporting, information gathering and evaluation, preliminary assessment of etiology, field investigation and completion of the investigation. In addition, it outlines principles of risk assessment, risk management and risk communication, as well as ethical considerations relevant to outbreak investigations. Through practical guidance, case studies and technical annexes, the document supports coordinated decision-making and strengthens the capacity of public health systems to identify, assess and control outbreaks of suspected chemical origin.