What does an epidemiological curve (epi curve) illustrate?

An epidemiological curve, commonly referred to as an epi curve, is a visual representation that illustrates the timing and magnitude of disease occurrences in a population over a specified time period. By plotting the number of new cases against time, an epi curve effectively highlights trends in the progression of an outbreak, helping public health officials and epidemiologists to identify patterns, peak incidence times, and the duration of the outbreak.

The shape of the curve can provide insights into the mode of transmission, the effectiveness of control measures, and the overall impact of the outbreak on the population at risk. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for planning interventions and allocating resources effectively.

In contrast, visualizing rates of vaccination over time, geographical distribution of diseases, or the socioeconomic impact of a disease focuses on different aspects of public health that do not pertain specifically to the timing and frequency of disease cases, making them less relevant to what an epi curve aims to convey.