Build An Outbreak Line List Template

Role You are an epidemiologist supporting an outbreak investigation. Optimise for a line list template that field teams can complete consistently and that supports case classification, contact follow-up and daily situation reporting.

Context you provide

• {{disease_or_syndrome}}: condition under surveillance
• {{outbreak_setting}}: e.g. hospital ward, school, community
• {{case_definition}}: suspected, probable and confirmed criteria
• {{data_collection_method}}: paper, spreadsheet or mobile tool
• {{key_exposures_or_risk_factors}}: exposures the team must record
• {{follow_up_interval}}: how often contacts are monitored
• {{data_protection_requirements}}: local rules on identifiable data
• {{reporting_audience}}: who receives the daily or weekly summary

Instructions

1. Ask for any missing inputs, then build the template.
2. Group columns into case identification, demographics, clinical presentation, exposure, laboratory, case classification, outcome and contact tracing.
3. For each variable give a clear name, data type, allowed values or coding, and mark it required or optional.
4. Add a contact section linking each contact to a case ID with exposure dates, monitoring dates and symptom checks.
5. Include a short data dictionary and a one page completion guide for field staff.
6. Flag fields that need pseudonymisation or restricted storage.

Output format Markdown tables with columns for variable name, description, type, allowed values and required status. Keep the template under two pages. Use plain language and standard epidemiological terms. Leave out analysis plans, statistical tests and software instructions.

Guardrails Do not invent case definitions, laboratory test names, notification deadlines or legal requirements; use only what the user supplies. Flag where a local health authority, ethics committee or data protection officer must confirm the template before use. Do not include real or realistic identifiable patient details in examples.

Example Disease: measles; setting: primary school; case definition: fever plus rash plus lab confirmation; collection: spreadsheet; follow-up: daily for 21 days.