Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 9:06 PM AWST
22/07/2026 9:06 PM AWST
Whilst all efforts are made to provide accurate and timely information from the relevant source/documentation, please be aware that the information supplied may not be the most current version. The accuracy of the detail has not been confirmed by the Department and therefore should not be relied upon without first confirming the contents.
Investigate and control outbreak of disease
Investigate and control outbreak of disease
Unit of competency
National Code
DEFPH014A
DEFPH014A
State Code
AVV76
AVV76
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
Field of Education
061303 - Environmental Health
Original Release Date
Nominal Hours
0
Description
This unit covers the competency required to investigate and control outbreak of disease within the Australian Defence Force (ADF).
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Gather data in support of the investigation
- 1.1 Relevant personnel within affected organisation are liaised with to gain consent for investigation and to inform them of the process to be undertaken.
- 1.2 Factors affecting the complexityof the investigation are determined and addressed to facilitate commencement of investigation activities.
- 1.3 Persons assisting with the investigation are tasked and provided with appropriate guidance to enable them to assist independently.
- 1.4 Verification of outbreak is confirmed by comparison of reported cases with the usual incidence of cases experienced.
- 1.5 If possible, presumptive diagnosis is obtained from medical officer to focus investigation effort.
- 1.6 Initial control measures are instigated to limit the spread of disease and to provide early treatment to those displaying symptoms of the disease.
- 1.7 Interviews are conducted with both affected and nonaffected personnel to identify the common factors in the outbreak of disease including the potential source/s of disease.
- 1.8 Information gathered is treated as inconfidence and is only disclosed to persons needing to know who are assisting in the investigation.
- 1.9 Questionnaires are administered to both affected and nonaffected personnel to elicit further information of the common factors in the outbreak of disease.
- 1.10 Onsite inspections are conducted of places found to be common to those affected by the disease to gather site information to assist with the identification of the disease source/s.
- 1.11 Equipment is used during onsite inspection in accordance with organisational policies and procedures.
2. Analyse data to classify the path of disease
- 2.1 Data from all sources is collated to enable comparison and analysis.
- 2.2 Data assessed as being not related to the disease outbreak is removed to enable accurate analysis.
- 2.3 Characteristics of the disease are assessed to determine the route of disease and likely targets.
- 2.4 Disease attack rate is determined to establish the cumulative incidence rate of disease over the period of the outbreak.
- 2.5 Data is used to develop an endemic curve diagram to show the spread of infection over time and to identify the likely incidents of exposure to the disease.
- 2.6 Attack rate data and likely incidence of exposure are used as a basis for identifying risk factors present in disease outbreak to focus the scope of further investigation.
- 2.7 Further data is gathered, based on the identified risk factors, and is integrated into analysis.
- 2.8 Information gathered during onsite inspection, such as sample testing results, is compared with analysis findings to classify the disease source, route and target.
- 2.9 Finding from the analysis are documented and communicated to relevant personnel to enable appropriate notification to occur and to inform the development of control measures.
3. Determine and implement disease control measures
- 3.1 Compliance factors are reviewed to identify the systemic issues which may have contributed to the disease outbreak and which require corrective action.
- 3.2 Clean up procedures are determined to allow facilities and/or the environment connected with the source of disease to return to normal activity as soon as possible.
- 3.3 Monitoring procedures are determined to confirm compliance with initial clean up and adherence with organisational policies and procedures aimed at preventing the spread of disease.
- 3.4 Disease control measures are determined to provide both immediate and long term control of disease including prevention and early detection.
- 3.5 Investigation findings and disease control measures are compiled into a disease outbreak report and issued to relevant personnel for review and implementation.
- 3.6 Those directly and indirectly involved in the disease outbreak are debriefed to clarify the investigation outcomes and to provide an opportunity for learning on the prevention of disease.
- 3.7 Disease control measures are integrated with the wider environmental health support plan to apply lessons learned in the disease outbreak to other operating areas and groups.
The Range Statement relates to the Unit of Competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording in the Performance Criteria is detailed below.
Relevant personnel may include:
Activity commander
Environmental health officer
Health planning personnel
Medical personnel
Pathology specialist
Factors affecting the complexity of the investigation may include:
Availability of personnel
Availability of resources
Continued prevalence of disease
Operational constraints
Time lapse since first reported case
Wellness of personnel affected by the disease
Initial control measures may include:
Diverting to the use of alternative sources of food and water
Early referral for treatment
Exclusion of suspected personnel from duties (e.g. food handlers)
Quarantine of water, food, personnel
Restriction of personnel to designated areas
Screening of personnel for illness
Shutting down food, water production facilities
Common factors in the outbreak of disease may include:
Activity
Attendance at facilities
Food history (72 hours)
General health history
Hygiene practices
Movement
Onset of symptoms
Report to medical facility
Routine
Inconfidence may include:
Adherence to Privacy Act
Information disclosed to an appropriate person consistent with the responsibility of this position
Interview area with privacy
Legal and ethical requirements
Secure location for written records
Site information may include:
Compliance records
Environmental swabs
Measurements
Qualitative and quantitative data gathered through interview
Policies and procedures
Quality records
Samples
Site layout diagram
Site occupant status (such as numbers, activity, health, attendance, qualifications)
Equipment may include:
Adhesive tape
Cotton swabs (sterile)
Dial thermometers
Forceps (sterile)
Ice, wet or dry
Microbiological lab test request form samples
Pencils
Phosphate buffered solution
Questionnaires for use in collecting information from patients
Rubber bands
Sample bottles (sterile)
Sample spoons (sterile)
Sharp knife
Data may include:
Circumstances which allegedly implicate a particular source
Copies of menus (for at least three days prior to the onset of symptoms for the first case)
Distribution of the disease by:
time (onset time and epidemic curve)
place (potential places where the implicated meal was served such as cafeterias, restaurants and picnics)
person (distribution of the disease by age, gender and food items eaten)
Illness in any person prior to the event or whether anyone vomited in a public place
Information regarding events leading up to, during or after a disease outbreak, including:
action on first reported case
environmental protection activities
epidemiology of presenting disease
food sources
group activities
hygiene procedures
operating environment
referral action
response to treatment by health personnel
secondary infections
subsequent environmental protection activities
water sources
Measurement results
Names and phone numbers of any contact person or organisers or contact details for all exposed persons
Sample test results (microbiological)
Symptoms and severity i.e. if any cases have been hospitalised, duration
Whether any personnel were ill prior to the outbreak or worked while symptomatic
Characteristics of the disease may include:
Expected duration
Incubation period
Route of infection
Signs and symptoms
Time to onset
Risk factors may include:
Occupation:
child care worker
food handler
health care worker
Possible source:
contact with other cases
environmental
food
institutional
occupational
water
Travel:
interstate
intrastate
overseas
Compliance factors may include:
Compliance with:
HACCP
hygiene procedures
organisational policies and procedures
preventive maintenance
quality control measures
routine testing program
Clean up procedures may include:
Discarding contaminated water
Discarding foodstuff
Safely removing suspect or contaminated items
Sanitising an area
Monitoring procedures may include:
External auditing
Internal auditing
Periodic/random inspections
Quality control checks
Disease control measures may include:
Controlling or modifying the host response to exposure:
immunising susceptible hosts
modifying behaviour or using a barrier (such as education)
using prophylactic chemotherapy
Controlling the source of the pathogen:
inactivating or neutralising the pathogen
removing persons from exposure
removing source of contamination
Interrupting the transmission of disease:
controlling mosquito or vector transmission using skin repellents
improving personal sanitation (such as washing hands before eating)
sterilising or disinfecting environmental sources of transmission
Relevant personnel may include:
Activity commander
Environmental health officer
Health planning personnel
Medical personnel
Pathology specialist
Factors affecting the complexity of the investigation may include:
Availability of personnel
Availability of resources
Continued prevalence of disease
Operational constraints
Time lapse since first reported case
Wellness of personnel affected by the disease
Initial control measures may include:
Diverting to the use of alternative sources of food and water
Early referral for treatment
Exclusion of suspected personnel from duties (e.g. food handlers)
Quarantine of water, food, personnel
Restriction of personnel to designated areas
Screening of personnel for illness
Shutting down food, water production facilities
Common factors in the outbreak of disease may include:
Activity
Attendance at facilities
Food history (72 hours)
General health history
Hygiene practices
Movement
Onset of symptoms
Report to medical facility
Routine
Inconfidence may include:
Adherence to Privacy Act
Information disclosed to an appropriate person consistent with the responsibility of this position
Interview area with privacy
Legal and ethical requirements
Secure location for written records
Site information may include:
Compliance records
Environmental swabs
Measurements
Qualitative and quantitative data gathered through interview
Policies and procedures
Quality records
Samples
Site layout diagram
Site occupant status (such as numbers, activity, health, attendance, qualifications)
Equipment may include:
Adhesive tape
Cotton swabs (sterile)
Dial thermometers
Forceps (sterile)
Ice, wet or dry
Microbiological lab test request form samples
Pencils
Phosphate buffered solution
Questionnaires for use in collecting information from patients
Rubber bands
Sample bottles (sterile)
Sample spoons (sterile)
Sharp knife
Data may include:
Circumstances which allegedly implicate a particular source
Copies of menus (for at least three days prior to the onset of symptoms for the first case)
Distribution of the disease by:
time (onset time and epidemic curve)
place (potential places where the implicated meal was served such as cafeterias, restaurants and picnics)
person (distribution of the disease by age, gender and food items eaten)
Illness in any person prior to the event or whether anyone vomited in a public place
Information regarding events leading up to, during or after a disease outbreak, including:
action on first reported case
environmental protection activities
epidemiology of presenting disease
food sources
group activities
hygiene procedures
operating environment
referral action
response to treatment by health personnel
secondary infections
subsequent environmental protection activities
water sources
Measurement results
Names and phone numbers of any contact person or organisers or contact details for all exposed persons
Sample test results (microbiological)
Symptoms and severity i.e. if any cases have been hospitalised, duration
Whether any personnel were ill prior to the outbreak or worked while symptomatic
Characteristics of the disease may include:
Expected duration
Incubation period
Route of infection
Signs and symptoms
Time to onset
Risk factors may include:
Occupation:
child care worker
food handler
health care worker
Possible source:
contact with other cases
environmental
food
institutional
occupational
water
Travel:
interstate
intrastate
overseas
Compliance factors may include:
Compliance with:
HACCP
hygiene procedures
organisational policies and procedures
preventive maintenance
quality control measures
routine testing program
Clean up procedures may include:
Discarding contaminated water
Discarding foodstuff
Safely removing suspect or contaminated items
Sanitising an area
Monitoring procedures may include:
External auditing
Internal auditing
Periodic/random inspections
Quality control checks
Disease control measures may include:
Controlling or modifying the host response to exposure:
immunising susceptible hosts
modifying behaviour or using a barrier (such as education)
using prophylactic chemotherapy
Controlling the source of the pathogen:
inactivating or neutralising the pathogen
removing persons from exposure
removing source of contamination
Interrupting the transmission of disease:
controlling mosquito or vector transmission using skin repellents
improving personal sanitation (such as washing hands before eating)
sterilising or disinfecting environmental sources of transmission
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Assessment must confirm the ability to:
gather data using a minimum of three data collection methods outlined in the performance criteria
classify the path of disease using calculated attack rates, endemic curve diagrams and assessed risk factors as the basis for analysis
determine control measures applicable to the disease and the circumstances of the outbreak
Consistency in performance
Competency should be demonstrated over a minimum of two investigation scenarios.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Context of assessment
Competency should be assessed in a simulated situation or scenario.
Specific resources for assessment
Access is required to:
simulated situation or scenario of outbreak of disease with all supporting information
equipment required to perform measurement, testing and on site inspection
Assessment must confirm the ability to:
gather data using a minimum of three data collection methods outlined in the performance criteria
classify the path of disease using calculated attack rates, endemic curve diagrams and assessed risk factors as the basis for analysis
determine control measures applicable to the disease and the circumstances of the outbreak
Consistency in performance
Competency should be demonstrated over a minimum of two investigation scenarios.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Context of assessment
Competency should be assessed in a simulated situation or scenario.
Specific resources for assessment
Access is required to:
simulated situation or scenario of outbreak of disease with all supporting information
equipment required to perform measurement, testing and on site inspection
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| BBB85 | DEFPHL014 | Investigate and control outbreak of disease | Unit of competency |
