Disease Surveillance and Outbreak Response
Expert-defined terms from the Global Certificate in Neglected Tropical Diseases Management course at UK School of Management. Free to read, free to share, paired with a globally recognised certification pathway.
Active Surveillance refers to the process of actively searching for and monitori… #
This approach is particularly useful for detecting and responding to outbreaks of infectious diseases, as it allows for timely identification and intervention. Related terms include Passive Surveillance and Sentinel Surveillance.
Adverse Event is any unfavorable or unintended sign, symptom, or <… #
In the context of Disease Surveillance and Outbreak Response, adverse events may be reported by healthcare providers, patients, or other stakeholders, and can provide valuable information for identifying potential public health threats.
Algorithm refers to a set of rules or procedures used to solve a problem or make… #
In Disease Surveillance and Outbreak Response, algorithms may be used to identify patterns or trends in health data, or to predict the likelihood of an outbreak occurring.
Antibiotic Resistance refers to the ability of bacteria to resist the eff… #
This is a major public health concern, as it can lead to increased morbidity and mortality from infectious diseases. Related terms include Antimicrobial Resistance and Drug Resistance.
Antigen refers to a substance that can trigger an immune response , often… #
In Disease Surveillance and Outbreak Response, antigens may be used to develop tests for detecting infectious diseases, or to monitor the effectiveness of vaccination programs.
Application refers to a software program or system used to perform a spec… #
In Disease Surveillance and Outbreak Response, applications may be used to collect, analyze, and disseminate health data, or to support outbreak investigation and response activities.
Arbovirus refers to a type of virus that is transmitted by arthropods<… #
Examples of arboviruses include Dengue, Yellow Fever, and West Nile Virus. Related terms include Vector-Borne Disease and Arthropod-Borne Virus.
Attack Rate refers to the proportion of individuals who become infected w… #
This measure can be used to estimate the transmissibility of a disease and inform public health interventions. Related terms include Secondary Attack Rate and Basic Reproduction Number.
Bacillus refers to a type of bacteria that is characterized by a rod #
shaped morphology. Examples of bacilli include Escherichia coli and Bacillus anthracis. Related terms include Coccus and Spirillum.
Basic Reproduction Number refers to the average number of secondary infection… #
This measure can be used to estimate the transmissibility of a disease and inform public health interventions. Related terms include Attack Rate and Serial Interval.
Biological Sample refers to a specimen of biological material , such as bl… #
In Disease Surveillance and Outbreak Response, biological samples may be used to detect the presence of a particular infectious agent or to monitor the effectiveness of treatments.
Biosafety refers to the practices and procedures used to prevent the transmis… #
This includes the use of personal protective equipment, decontamination procedures, and other measures to minimize the risk of exposure to pathogens. Related terms include Biosecurity and Infection Control.
Case Definition refers to a set of criteria used to define a disease or <… #
This may include clinical, laboratory, or epidemiological criteria, and is used to ensure that cases are consistently identified and reported. Related terms include Case Finding and Disease Classification.
Case Fatality Rate refers to the proportion of individuals with a particular … #
This measure can be used to estimate the severity of a disease and inform public health interventions. Related terms include Case Fatality Ratio and Mortality Rate.
CD4 Cell refers to a type of immune cell that plays a key role in the … #
In individuals with HIV infection, the CD4 cell count is often used as a measure of immune function and to monitor the progression of disease. Related terms include CD8 Cell and Immune Suppression.
Chain of Infection refers to the sequence of events that leads to the transmi… #
This includes the reservoir, portal of exit, mode of transmission, portal of entry, and susceptible host. Understanding the chain of infection is critical for preventing and controlling the spread of infectious diseases.
Chemoprophylaxis refers to the use of medications or chemicals to… #
This may include the use of antibiotics, antivirals, or other types of prophylactic agents. Related terms include Post-Exposure Prophylaxis and Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis.
Clinical Manifestation refers to the signs and symptoms that are associated with… #
This may include physical examination findings, laboratory test results, or other types of clinical data. Understanding the clinical manifestations of a disease is critical for making accurate diagnoses and providing effective treatment.
Cluster refers to a group of cases that occur in a specific geographic… #
Clusters may be used to identify outbreaks or to monitor the spread of infectious diseases. Related terms include Outbreak and Epidemic.
Communication refers to the process of sharing information or messages… #
In Disease Surveillance and Outbreak Response, effective communication is critical for coordinating response efforts, providing public health guidance