Why early detection of outbreaks is so important

One evening you are working in the emergency department and you see a generally healthy middle-aged First Nations man with severe nausea and vomiting. Following a thorough workup you conclude he has gastroenteritis. You decide to keep him in the observation unit overnight to be treated for dehydration and electrolyte abnormalities. You treat gastroenteritis frequently, but this one was bad. The nurse mentions to you that a couple of other First Nations people had been in earlier in the day with similar symptoms. “Let’s notify public health,” you say to the nurse. “This could merit an investigation.” Two weeks later you receive follow-up: Public health conducted interviews and laboratory testing of more than 2 dozen people and identified the likely cause of the outbreak as traditionally fermented game meat. Fortunately, the local public health unit had been developing an engagement strategy with respected people in the affected community and they will now work together to address this issue