Question 1

Question

Following a community feast in a rural village in Rajasthan, the district health officer receives reports of 47 individuals presenting with acute watery diarrhoea, nausea, and vomiting within a 72-hour window. The officer plots the onset dates of all confirmed cases. The epidemic curve (Figure 1) shows a sharp single peak on day 3 followed by rapid decline, with no secondary waves. Based on Figure 1, which of the following conclusions is most appropriate to guide the investigation?

Accepted Answer

B. The outbreak pattern is consistent with a common-source, single-exposure event; the implicated exposure likely occurred within one incubation period before the peak

Answer

A. The outbreak pattern suggests a propagated source; contact tracing of secondary cases should be prioritised

Answer

C. The outbreak pattern indicates an environmental continuous-source exposure; water supply chlorination should be initiated immediately without further food history

Answer

D. The bimodal distribution of cases indicates two separate exposure events; both should be investigated independently

Epidemiology — MCQs

Epidemiology — MCQs

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