Epidemiology module of practical skills for mbbs student

STEP 2: CONDUCT HOUSE-TO-HOUSE SEARCHES TO FIND ADDITIONAL CASES AND PROVIDE CASE MANAGEMENT

Train and assign health workers to conduct house-to-house searches to find the cases in the designated area. The logic is to list all the cases of VPD that have occurred in the recent past. Investigate cases using one disease-specific 'Standard Case Investigation Form' (CIF) for each case. Record the full details, including identification data, address, vaccination status and the travel history. (See Appendix 10.2)

Provide standard case management/treatment to the cases. Trace contacts to establish chains of transmission for containment measures such as Outbreak Response Immunization (ORI) in Measles, Polio, etc. If a new case or outbreak has been detected, search for additional cases of the VPD. For example, for a suspect measles or diphtheria case, enquire whether there are any other contacts (in the specific age group) in the household or neighborhood. Provide need-based prophylaxis and/or immunization to the contacts (e.g. vitamin A for measles, vaccination for diphtheria). Health workers should notify the cases with complications to the supervisor for further referral.

During the course of investigation, it may be possible that some other areas (not included in initial planning) may report fresh cases of the VPD. Arrange to undertake case searches in these new areas as well.

TRACE ELEMENT: A contact is a person who has been in close association with a known or suspected case of a communicable disease during the incubation period.