1. Identify strategies utilized in the outbreak investigation.
2. How is a causal relationship proven? What data must be collected to support causal relationships?
3. Based on your interpretation of causal relationship, did John Snow prove that contaminated drinking water causes cholera? Provide the rationale for your response.

Outbreak Investigation

1. Identify strategies utilized in the outbreak investigation.

The outbreak investigation applied an epidemiological research strategy. In this case, socio-demographic data was collected for London city residents then associated with the cholera infection rates to determine where the majority of the persons infected were found. The data was then associated with the different drinking water sources before it was determined that a particular water well was the source of the pathogen. A review of the data determined that the person who used the well water got infected with cholera. As such, the epidemiological research strategy help to determine the cholera outbreak causation (HarvardX, 2017).  Outbreak Investigation Essay Paper 

2. How is a causal relationship proven? What data must be collected to support causal relationships?

A causal relationship is proven by identifying the most common element among the persons infected with cholera, and showing that no other possible explanation can account for the observed association. Once only a single element remains as the explanation for the cause, then it can be inferred that a cause-effect relationship exists. It is important to note that for the causal relationship to hold, then it must be proven that it is not due to confounding elements, bias (systematic error) or chance (random error) (Sergeant & Perkins, 2015).

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3. Based on your interpretation of causal relationship, did John Snow prove that contaminated drinking water causes cholera?

John Snow proved that contaminated drinking water causes cholera. Firstly, the epidemiological study showed that only the persons who used the drinking water from the contaminated well got infected with Cholera. This was seen even among persons residing in the areas away from the contaminated well who ended up drinking its water. Secondly, persons within the geographical area covered by the contaminated well who did not drink its water did not get infected (HarvardX, 2017). This went on to show that only persons who drank the contaminated well water got infected, thereby establishing a cause-effect relationship. Besides that, the causal effect was shown not to be due to confounding elements, bias (systematic error) or chance (random error). The confounding elements were controlled by collected data from areas covered by other water wells. Bias was controlled by collecting all the data as presented. Chance was controlled by checking for infection outside the covered area and linking the infection to the contaminated well water. As such, John Snow proved that contaminated drinking water causes cholera (Sergeant & Perkins, 2015).

References

HarvardX (2017, April 19). John Snow and the 1854 Broad Street cholera outbreak [Video file]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNjrAXGRda4&feature=youtu.be

Sergeant, E., & Perkins, N. (2015). Epidemiology for Field Veterinarians: An Introduction. CAB International.

Watch the video clip: Mike Jay on John Snow and the Soho Cholera Outbreak of 1854 – The Broad Street Pump Handle and the Birth of Epidemiology atJohn Snow and the 1854 Broad Street cholera outbreak (Links to an external site.)

1. Identify strategies utilized in the outbreak investigation.
   2. How is a causal relationship proven?  What data must be collected to support causal relationships?
   3. Based on your interpretation of causal relationship, did John Snow prove that contaminated drinking water causes cholera? Provide the rationale for your response.  Outbreak Investigation Essay Paper