Outbreak Detection & Reporting

Chapter Summary

Detection and reporting provide the foundation for a healthcare outbreak response, triggering activities aimed at assessing the situation, implementing control measures, and halting disease transmission.

In Chapter 4, Outbreak Detection & Reporting, we examine the two primary pathways for recognizing potential outbreaks, detection via reports and through use of surveillance data. Definitions of sentinel cases, clusters, and outbreaks are described. 

The section on direct reporting of outbreaks includes information on reporting within a healthcare facility and reporting to public health, entities that can report to public health, and types of events that may be reported. This is followed by an overview of the use of routine surveillance systems for cluster and outbreak detection. 

Strengths and limitations, key determinants of successful detection, and model practices are described for both types of detection methods. Health departments can improve outbreak detection by regularly communicating reporting mechanisms and expectations to hospitals, long term care facilities and other provider types; consider establishing thresholds for reporting that are specific to commonly encountered conditions.

The chapter concludes with some considerations for detecting and reporting multifacility and multijurisdictional outbreaks, a topic that is unpacked further in Supplement B, Infection Control Breach Investigations.

As advances occur in outbreak protocols, this guidance document will be updated. Previous changes can be tracked below:

• 2nd Edition – Published June 2024
• 1st Edition – Published October 2022
• URLs in this document are valid as of April 30, 2024.  

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