E-mail surveys assist investigation and response: a university conjunctivitis outbreak.

Abstract

A conjunctivitis outbreak affecting more than 200 individuals occurred on a university campus in Evanston, Illinois, USA, in spring 2002. An investigation was conducted jointly by the Evanston Department of Health and the Illinois Department of Public Health. A combination of e-mail and traditional telephone-based surveys demonstrated that wearing contact lenses was a risk factor for any conjunctivitis and bilateral conjunctivitis, whereas using glasses was protective. Laboratory and epidemiological evidence suggested that the outbreak was caused by a viral pathogen that eluded characterization despite extensive culture and PCR-based laboratory testing. Enhanced laboratory surveillance could help clinicians and public-health officials to identify relevant secular changes in the spectrum of causes of conjunctivitis. During institutional outbreaks, e-mail surveys can help public-health officials to efficiently access information not easily collected by traditional case-control studies, and can provide an effective conduit for providing prevention recommendation, such as the need for improved hand and contact-lens hygiene during outbreaks.

• Authors: D J Passaro, M Scott, M S Dworkin
• Journal: Epidemiology and infection (Epidemiol Infect) Vol. 132 Issue 4 Pg. 761-4 (Aug 2004) ISSN: 0950-2688 [Print] England
• PMID: 15310179 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Topics

• Adult
• Case-Control Studies
• Conjunctivitis (epidemiology, etiology, prevention & control)
• Disease Outbreaks
• Electronic Mail
• Female
• Humans
• Illinois (epidemiology)
• Incidence
• Male
• Medical Records
• Retrospective Studies
• Surveys and Questionnaires
• Universities