3.6 Initial conclusions

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    When the investigation is over, write an accurate, concise report. It should contain the following elements:

     

    1 - Summary

     

    2 - Introduction

    • Quick description of the overall, health and epidemiological context:
      • geographic, administrative, and logistical (access, distances, etc.) information,
      • population data,
      • security, population movements, social events, etc.,
      • health system,
      • epidemiological situation in previous years: cases, deaths, vaccination coverage (EPI and campaigns, specify the target population), dates of most recent outbreaks, and risk factors,
      • succinct description of the surveillance system: case definition, reporting system, data transmission and analysis.

     

    3 - Objectives of the investigation and methods

    • How was the alert given?
    • General and specific objectives
    • Team composition, resources and sequence of events
    • People met with

     

    4 - Results

    • Laboratory confirmation: type of specimens, number and results
    • Epidemiological description (time, place and person):
      • date of the alert and the first cases,
      • number of cases and deaths, case fatality rate,
      • epidemic curve,
      • attack rate by location,
      • attack rate by age group.

    Describe the situation, from the general to the specific (e.g., regions and districts, IDP camps and sectors, city and neighbourhoods). Specify the data source.

     

    5 - Analysis of results and discussion

    • Is the outbreak confirmed, and according to which definition?
    • Is there laboratory confirmation?
    • Which are the hardest hit places and populations?
    • Which control measures have been implemented?
    • What are the current response capabilities? Are they appropriate and sufficient?
      • surveillance and laboratory,
      • patient management (treatment protocol, availability of drugs and supplies, human resources, etc.),
      • vaccination,
      • information.
    • Available resources: staff, laboratory, medical and non-medical supplies, etc.

     

    6 - Conclusion(s)

     

    7 - Recommendations/proposed interventions

    • Surveillance and laboratory
    • Patient management
    • Vaccination
    • Informing the population

    Specify the protocols, target populations, strategies and means.

     

    8 - Appendices

    • Tables
    • Graphs

     

    To speed up or improve the response, technical support may be needed for:

    • surveillance ;
    • case management: organisation, supervision and procurement ;
    • the vaccination campaign: logistics and medical support for planning, organisation, supervision and assessment;
    • assessing the intervention: functioning, results, impact, cost ;
    • emergency preparedness: technical support and training.

     

    Evaluate the need for technical support as soon as the outbreak begins. Draw up the terms of reference or collaboration.

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