Outbreaks and epidemics investigations: changes in theories, concepts, and practices from the 18th to the 21st century

Abstract

This essay aims to discuss the investigation of outbreaks and epidemics, from the first reports available in scientific literature from the 18th century to the present time, using scientific articles and books on the subject for its construction. The main argument developed is the transition from qualitative approaches of epidemiology, which predominated in the early periods, to the quantitative approach, which initially coexists with the qualitative one but became dominant from the second half of the 19th century. It concludes with a brief reflection on the current moment of confronting the COVID-19 epidemic.