Guidance

Non-infectious disease clusters: investigation guidelines

Information for health protection specialists on the investigation of disease clusters suspected of being caused by exposure to environmental hazards.

• From: Public Health England
• Published: 1 March 2019

Documents

Guidance for investigating non-infectious disease clusters from potential environmental causes

Ref: PHE publications gateway number GW-201

PDF, 829 KB, 45 pages

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Details

This guidance for health professionals presents a step-by-step approach to the investigation of non-infectious disease clusters.

It describes a 3-stage investigation process comprising:

• screening (assessing the need to investigate)
• assessment (determining the plausibility of an environmental cause)
• investigation of possible causative factors (epidemiological studies, for example)

It also covers:

• best practice for reporting results and communicating risk
• roles and responsibilities for cluster investigation team members

Published 1 March 2019