CDCCase Study on Legionnaire's Disease

For this activity, the information you need when you click on a link will appear in a new browser window. Switch back and forth between this window and the window that pops up to answer the questions given on this page. Follow the instructions below in order. When you move on to a new link, close the window you were using to avoid clutter.

  1. First, familiarize yourself with epidemiology and with the methods used to investigate community health problems. Read the Introduction to Epidemiology -- the basic science of public health.

  2. Read the objectives for and introduction to "How to Investigate an Outbreak." Complete Exercise 1 at the bottom of the objectives and introduction section of the "How to Investigate an Outbreak" page. Check your answer.

  3. Read the Steps of an Outbreak Investigation (part of "How to Investigate an Outbreak"), answer the exercises as you come to them, and check your answers using the same key as in number two.

  4. A slide show is available to help you review and summarize "How to Investigate an Outbreak" at any time. Use the arrow buttons to navigate the slide show

  5. Now you are ready to experience solving a case study adapted from an investigation of an actual community health problem. First, view the goals and objectives.

  6. Now explore the case study. There are a total of 14 questions spread out over six parts. The questions do not necessarily have "right" answers, so there is no key to check for these questions. Start with part I (questions 1-6), which should take around 50 minutes. Answer question 1 before reading on, then answer questions 2 and 3.

  7. Complete question number 3 before proceding. Read the background about Legionnaires' disease and Bogalusa and answer questions 4, 5, and 6.

  8. Complete question number 6 before proceding. Go on to part II (questions 7-8), which should take around 20 minutes. Read the passage given and answer questions 7 and 8.

  9. Complete question number 8 before proceding. Go on to part III (questions 9-10), which should take around 10 minutes. Read the passage given and answer questions 9 and 10.

  10. Complete question number 10 before proceding. Go on to part IV (question 11), which should take around 15 minutes. Read the passage given and answer question 11.

  11. Complete question number 11 before proceding. Go on to part V (question 12), which should take around 15 minutes. Read the passage given and answer question 12.

  12. Complete question number 12 before proceding. Go on to part VI (questions 13-14), which should take around 15 minutes. Read the passage given and answer questions 13 and 14.

  13. Now read the conclusion.