Applied Epidemiology in Southeast Queensland

Abstract

For my master of Applied Epidemiology, I have been highly fortunate to be placed at the Metro North Public Health Unit (MNPHU) in Brisbane. During my placement, I have gained exposure to various areas of field epidemiology. In May of 2024, our unit handled the public health response to an outbreak of mpox that occurred in southeast QLD, which eventually required a coordinated response from various Queensland Health bodies. This presented itself as an excellent opportunity to meet my outbreak competency. Of note, a cohort study design was able to be carried out, and I presented the results at the Communicable Diseases and Immunisation Conference in June 2025. Additionally, a manuscript form was published in the Communicable Diseases Intelligence journal. My epidemiological and data analysis competencies have been met under one project, which involved a randomised control trial to determine the effects of a newly developed digital tool on the impact of respiratory outbreak management within residential aged care facilities in the Metro North Hospital and Health Services region. This project involved both qualitative and quantitative data analysis components and has high operational value within the Metro North Public Health Unit. To meet my final competency, I conducted an evaluation of the enhanced surveillance of cryptosporidiosis within the Metro North Hospital and Health Services region, a system established during the summer of 2023 to 2024 in response to an unusually high number of cases in the region. Findings from this evaluation have been able to inform future iterations of this surveillance system, in anticipation of its next use.