Unit Code: EPI701

Unit Name: Public Health Surveillance and Outbreak Management

Description: EPI701 is conducted over a single semester and is administered both online and face-to-face. The course begins with an introduction to public health surveillance and its historical development. A discussion of surveillance systems in the Pacific follows before key components in the surveillance cycle are covered in greater detail. Key aspects of surveillance that will be examined closely are implementation, evaluation, data sources, data analysis, interpretation and presentation. Steps in outbreak management are discussed in the final weeks and practical experience in outbreak investigation and management is facilitated through table top exercises. Assessment activities will include written individual and group assignments, group presentations and a final exam

Learning Target Outcomes: On successful completion of this course, the students will be able to : 1. Assess the importance of public health surveillance in the Pacific 2. Appraise the operation of surveillance systems 3. Select a disease/health event that requires surveillance and design an appropriate surveillance system for it 4. Analyze surveillance data and summarize findings using appropriate figures 5. Critique surveillance findings to inform appropriate public health actions 6. Discuss the steps in the investigation and management of disease outbreaks with ethical obligations 7. Determine the appropriate management and response of a disease outbreak

Prerequisite: EPI500 or EPI600 or EPI 606

Prerequisite Sentence: N/A

Credit Point: 15

Offered In: Semester 2