Point Source Outbreak

A point source outbreak results from a single exposure, such as a contaminated batch of meat. It appears as a tight clustering over time. The upslope is sudden, and the downslope tapers. Onsets times/dates for most cases will be within the span of one incubation period for the disease.

In point source outbreaks as in other types, there can be secondary waves of infection, as the original infected persons spread it to others, such as in a hepatitis A outbreak.