Capstone 1# 1-10

1. would you call the increasedincidence of C. diff in Quebec’s hospitals an epidemic or an outbreak? 2. C. diff is a bacterial pathogen. What are the broad categories of diseasesthat one must consider when investigating a gastrointestinal diseaseoutbreak?3. What characteristics can be used to describe infectious agents?4. What measures of morbidity would you use to estimate infectivity,pathogenicity, and virulence?5. What are the possible modes of transmission? Describe them.6. How would you characterize C. diff ? 7. How would you calculate the incidence rate in terms of cases per 1,000discharges for each fiscal year?8. What was the endemic incidence of C. diff in Quebec during the three-year period 1998–2001?9. Would the rate of C. diff in 2003–2004 qualify as an epidemic? Howwould we confirm this suspicion?10. Why might the rate of C. diff decrease in 2005–2006?