What is a pseudo outbreak?

A pseudo outbreak refers to a situation where an apparent increase in infection rates may be observed, but this increase does not necessarily indicate a real change in the incidence of the disease. This can occur due to factors such as improved surveillance, changes in diagnostic criteria, or variations in reporting practices rather than an actual rise in infections. For example, if new testing protocols are implemented leading to more cases being identified, there might seem to be an outbreak when it's actually just better detection of previously existing cases. This distinction is crucial in infection control practices, as it helps healthcare providers accurately assess the situation and allocate resources effectively without overreacting to what might be a false alarm. Understanding the difference between genuine outbreaks and pseudo outbreaks is essential for effective infection prevention and control measures in any healthcare setting.