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: UK Health Security Agency
• 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 content was originally produced by Public Health England (PHE). This content is now owned and managed by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).

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