Health, Public Health & Safety
Epidemic & Pandemic-Prone Disease Preparedness and Response
Surveillance, investigation and response for outbreak-prone diseases.
Syllabus at a glance
Around 12 weeks of guided study, typically two sessions a week plus independent work, so you can keep working while you study.
| Unit | Study block | Module |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Weeks 1–2 | Epidemiology of epidemic-prone diseases |
| 2 | Weeks 3–4 | Surveillance, alerts and early warning |
| 3 | Weeks 5–6 | Outbreak investigation steps |
| 4 | Weeks 7–8 | Case management, IPC and risk communication |
| 5 | Weeks 9–12 | Response coordination and recovery |
Module breakdown
- 1
Epidemiology of epidemic-prone diseases
Weeks 1–2Build a shared working vocabulary for epidemiology of epidemic-prone diseases and set the standards this course expects of you.
What you cover
- Key concepts, terminology and standards behind epidemiology of epidemic-prone diseases
- Step-by-step methods and templates for epidemiology of epidemic-prone diseases
- Common problems, risks and mistakes in epidemiology of epidemic-prone diseases, and how to avoid them
- Applying epidemiology of epidemic-prone diseases in low-resource and community settings
Assessed work: Case study discussion applying epidemiology of epidemic-prone diseases to a local scenario.
- 2
Surveillance, alerts and early warning
Weeks 3–4Work through the methods and tools used for surveillance, alerts and early warning in day-to-day programme work.
What you cover
- Step-by-step methods and templates for surveillance, alerts and early warning
- Common problems, risks and mistakes in surveillance, alerts and early warning, and how to avoid them
- Applying surveillance, alerts and early warning in low-resource and community settings
Assessed work: Practical task: draft one working document related to surveillance, alerts and early warning.
- 3
Outbreak investigation steps
Weeks 5–6Practise outbreak investigation steps on realistic case material drawn from Sierra Leonean community and field settings.
What you cover
- Common problems, risks and mistakes in outbreak investigation steps, and how to avoid them
- Applying outbreak investigation steps in low-resource and community settings
- Recording, reporting and communicating your outbreak investigation steps work
Assessed work: Group simulation using outbreak investigation steps under time pressure.
- 4
Case management, IPC and risk communication
Weeks 7–8Turn case management, IPC and risk communication into documents, plans and decisions your team or employer can actually use.
What you cover
- Applying case management, IPC and risk communication in low-resource and community settings
- Recording, reporting and communicating your case management, IPC and risk communication work
- Key concepts, terminology and standards behind case management, IPC and risk communication
Assessed work: Portfolio entry: reflect on how you will use case management, IPC and risk communication in your role.
- 5
Response coordination and recovery
Weeks 9–12Review, quality-check and improve your own response coordination and recovery work with tutor and peer feedback.
What you cover
- Recording, reporting and communicating your response coordination and recovery work
- Key concepts, terminology and standards behind response coordination and recovery
- Step-by-step methods and templates for response coordination and recovery
Assessed work: Guided exercise: produce a short worked example covering response coordination and recovery.
Who this course is for
- • Practitioners and volunteers already working in, or moving into, this area of work.
- • Health workers, facility staff and community health volunteers.
- • School leavers and graduates building a first professional portfolio.
Entry requirements
- • Basic literacy and secondary-level education, or relevant practical work experience.
- • Access to a phone, tablet or computer for online and blended study.
- • Commitment to attend sessions and submit assignments on time.
How you are assessed
- • Short module tasks completed during the course.
- • Practical component: Outbreak investigation case study with line listing and report.
- • A final assessment or portfolio review covering the full syllabus.
- • Participation in guided sessions, discussions and group exercises.
Materials and support
- • Session handouts, checklists and templates you keep after the course.
- • Case material and worked examples based on community and field practice.
- • Tutor guidance by WhatsApp between sessions.
Certification
Learners who complete all assessments receive an SLIHSD professional certificate of completion. This records completion of an SLIHSD short course and is not presented as an accredited academic award.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the certificate you should be able to:
- Investigate an outbreak systematically
- Support surveillance and alert systems
- Communicate risk to communities
Practical component
Outbreak investigation case study with line listing and report.
How this programme is delivered
Online
Guided sessions and assignments you can follow from anywhere with a connection.
Face-to-face
Classroom sessions at our Mile 91 learning centre, including weekend and evening options.
Blended
A mix of online study with periodic in-person workshops, field exercises and simulations.
Ready to start Epidemic & Pandemic-Prone Disease Preparedness and Response?
Applications for the Founding Student Intake 2026 are open. Register your interest and we will guide you to the right programme.