Applied Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases in Western Australia

Abstract

The Western Australian (WA) Communicable Disease Control Directorate (CDCD) is responsible for the surveillance, prevention and control of communicable diseases in WA, while Metropolitan Communicable Disease Control (MCDC) is responsible for the public health management of all communicable diseases across metropolitan Perth. From March 2019 to December 2020, I undertook my MAE field placement split between CDCD and MCDC. This thesis presents the projects undertaken during this 21-month placement. My projects comprise of: First 600 COVID-19 Cases in Western Australia: Public Health Response Effectiveness of Contact Tracing & Restrictions in WA Evaluation of the COVID-19 Surveillance System in Western Australia Measles Outbreak Investigation & Response, Perth, Western Australia Measles cases that have previously received any measles-containing immunisations: infectivity & reasons for an apparent rise in incidence. This thesis also describes other experiences and public health activities undertaken during my placement, specifically an investigation of an invasive meningococcal disease serogroup C outbreak in the Pilbara and involvement in the subsequent targeted vaccination campaign. These projects and experiences fulfil the core requirements of the Australian National University Master of Philosophy (Applied Epidemiology) program.