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How I became interested in this
Topic?
Many of us were first “turned on” to public health by stories about “disease
detectives” and outbreak investigations. Few things top the gut-wrenching
challenge of being involved with a major outbreak; I often refer to this part
of the field as “combat epidemiology”. A really big outbreak is more like
the force five tornado in the movie Twister than what is often
portrayed in
most outbreak or epidemic movies. Phones ring constantly and there is little
time for detailed reflection. In some instances, staff and family members
may be ill and resources are diminished. While public health officers
are seldom
held responsible for these outbreaks, they are held accountable for the
response.
Like tornadoes, all outbreaks eventually end and calm returns regardless of any
intervention or action. Effective public health officers can succeed in
minimizing
the damage and expediting the recovery. However, there are instances where they
and their careers have been blown away by the storm.
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