Xandyaxes: X-Axis Y-Axis
Xandyaxes: X-Axis Y-Axis
Xandyaxes: X-Axis Y-Axis
An epidemic curve, or “epi curve,” is a visual display of the onset of illness among cases associated
with an outbreak. The epi curve is represented by a graph with two axes that intersect at right
angles.
The horizontal x-axis is the date or time of illness onset among cases.
Each axis is divided into equally spaced intervals, although the intervals for the two axes may differ.
You can learn a lot about an outbreak from an epi curve, such as
Time trend of the outbreak, that is, the distribution of cases over time
“Outliers,” or cases that stand apart from the overall pattern
General sense of the outbreak's magnitude
Inferences about the outbreak's pattern of spread
Most likely time of exposure
The magnitude of an outbreak can be assessed easily with a glance of the epi curve. Are
there many cases or just a few?
The time trend, or the distribution of cases over time, will give an indication of where the
outbreak is in its course. Are cases still rising or has the outbreak already peaked? Does it
appear that the outbreak is over? How long has it been since the last case occurred?
Outliers are cases that stand apart from the other cases. Outliers include the index case,
which might be the source of the outbreak, and cases that occur well after other cases,
which might indicate secondary spread of the illness.
Magnitude
Time trend
Outliers
Hepatitis A Cases by Date of Onset in Port Yourtown, Washington, June - August 2010
Point source
Continuous common source
Person-to-person spread (propagation)
In a point source outbreak, persons are exposed over a brief time to the same source, such as a
single meal or an event. The number of cases rises rapidly to a peak and falls gradually. The
majority of cases occur within one incubation period of the disease.
Cryptospordiosis Cases Associated with a Child Care Center by Date of Onset in Port
Yourtown, Washington, June 1998
Measles Cases by Date of Onset in Aberdeen, South Dakota, October 15, 1970 – January 16,
1971