Epidemiological applications: a case report of a village epidemic of gastroenteritis

This is a case report of an epidemic of gastroenteritis which was investigated and controlled by epidemiological methods only, before laboratory investigations could be done to confirm the original epidemiological conclusions--from contaminated home made ice-cubes. The case and process are reported in order to encourage similar uses of epidemiology by field public health practitioners, especially within the district or primary health care systems and particularly in places where laboratory support are difficult to avail. The case is used also to discuss the equipments and facilities that ought to be part of the support system for every modern field public health practitioner. These should include computers, modern communication facilities and epidemiological support systems, especially senior epidemiologists; as such senior personnel are available to junior colleagues in the other areas of specialist medical practice.