In the OUTBREAKS module the user can link any case owned by their PHS to any outbreak, regardless of which PHS Office the relevant outbreak has been notified by. The user can preview all cases linked to an outbreak by opening an OUTBREAK REPORT FORM and clicking on the Case List tab. Each case can be linked to one outbreak only.

In the side panel of the Case List tab of the outbreak form there is an Add Existing Case button (magnifying glass) which allows the user to link an existing case with the outbreak. There is also an Add New Case button (plus sign) which allows the user to first record a new case in the CASES module and then associate it with the outbreak.

To link an existing case to an outbreak, the user must open the relevant outbreak form and view linked cases in the Case List before clicking the magnifying glass button. This button will open the Case List under the CASES module. The user can then select a case from their PHS list and link to the relevant outbreak by clicking the ADD outbreak button above the case report form.

To record a new case the user has to go through the steps outlined in the “Recording a new case” help section and then link the new case with the outbreak by clicking the ADD outbreak button above the case report form. The newly-created case will then be associated with the outbreak and included in the Case List tab of the outbreak form.

Regardless of which PHS Office the outbreak is associated with, the user can remove from the outbreak any case they have permission to edit. The user can unlink a case from an outbreak if necessary after the form is saved using the REMOVE outbreak button above the case report form, or by unticking the Yes tickbox in the Outbreak Details section. The case will no longer be linked to the outbreak.