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Epidemiological Curve

Epidemiological curves or “epi curves” are useful for shedding light on whether an outbreak is most likely due to a point source or person-to-person transmission, whether an outbreak is increasing or waning, and whether the pathogen has a long or short incubation period. Generate an Epi Curve is a tool designed to be used as a template to create an epi curve.

The tool consists of an Excel file with two worksheets. Entering information into the first worksheet (Case Data) will automatically construct an epi curve in the second worksheet (Epi Curve). The resulting histogram will illustrate the number of cases of respiratory disease over time.

Step 1: Click on the Case Data tab at the bottom of the workbook. Replace the generic dates ("Date 1", etc) with the range of illness onset dates for the cases. In columns C-E, enter the number of cases in the row and column that corresponds with the appropriate illness consecutive onset date and case classification category [confirmed (column C), probable (column D), and suspect cases (column E)].

Step 2: Click on the Epi Curve tab at the bottom of the workbook to see the graph automatically populated. Changes can be made to the graph by right clicking on the graph and selecting the appropriate option or by changing the data entered into the first excel worksheet (Case Data).

See Quick Learn: Using an Epi Curve and Epidemic Curves Ahead for more information on how to interpret an epi curve.

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