Disease Clusters

Disease cluster studies are at times a controversial, but nevertheless critical, part of quantitative spatial epidemiology. They investigate unusual occurrences of cases, either spatially or spatial-temporally. Often arising from media alerts, investigations are frequently complicated by incomplete case data, methodological shortcomings, and complex statistical analyses. A large number of disease cluster packages or tools are now available to support analyses. Both infectious and non-infectious diseases can be examined, with the aim to provide clues as to the causation or source of the outbreak. Cluster studies are often seen as a form of pre-epidemiology, generating hypotheses worthy of follow-up.