Exercise 6.3
In 1989, a worldwide epidemic of a previously unrecognized syndrome occurred. This condition was characterized by severe myalgias (muscle pains) and an elevated number of a particular type of white blood cell called an eosinophil. The illness was given the name eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome. Public health officials initially used the following case definition:25
Eosinophil count ≥2,000 cells/mm3 in the absence of any other known cause of eosinophilia (in particular, parasitic or fungal infection, end-stage renal disease, leukemia, allergic disorder, or drug reaction)
Using the information in the line listing below, determine whether or not each should be classified as a case, according to the initial case definition above.