Ever thought of being a detective? Door knocking in search of answers to solve a crime?
Similar work occurs when we respond to infectious disease outbreaks. Not to solve crimes! But to find out the who, what, where, how, and how much of a disease.
So, who does this vital work? Field epidemiologists. Or as we sometimes call them – ‘disease detectives’.
Professor Paul Kelly addressed a group of students studying at the Australian National University to mark World Field Epidemiology Day on Friday.
Professor Kelly, our head of the interim Australian Centre for Disease Control, says the work of field epidemiologists includes:
- identifying where cases come from
- monitoring and tracking new cases.
‘They look at the characteristics of a disease,’ Professor Kelly says.
This includes:
- transmissibility
- infectious period
- severity
- how effective public health measures are at reducing risks.
‘It’s their job to pass on what they learn through their detective work to inform a public health response. This helps to reduce the number of people affected,’ Professor Kelly says.
‘The work of these “disease detectives” means fewer people contract diseases and get seriously ill from outbreaks. And fewer people die.’
Professor Kelly says it’s vital the ‘disease detectives’ work with other people in the response operation to achieve the best results.
‘Engaging with public health experts and policymakers is how they make the biggest difference,’ he says.
Photo caption – Australia’s Chief Medical Officer and the head of the interim Australian Centre for Disease Control, Professor Paul Kelly, addressing students at the Australian National University on Friday, World Field Epidemiology Day.