Challenges of influenza, measles, pertussis guide outbreak management
FROM AAP 16
Managing suspected/confirmed outbreaks
To prepare for and manage suspected outbreaks of an infectious disease, Dr. Maldonado advised taking the following steps:
• Establish a plan for evaluating suspected or confirmed infectious disease outbreaks in your office setting.
• Identify and eliminate the source of the infection, such as providing a separate waiting room for coughing children.
• Prevent additional cases using screening questions at the front desk.
• Provide prompt and consistent ongoing evaluation to prevent or minimize transmission to others.
• Track disease trends and advice from the AAP, CDC, and local county public health officials and disease experts to engage in ongoing surveillance and communication.
• Identify the initial source and route of exposure to understand why an outbreak occurred and how to prevent similar ones in the future.
Dr. Maldonado reporting being a member of a data safety monitoring board for Pfizer.
