Final answer:
Epidemiologists study incidence rates from the NNDSS database to determine if an outbreak is sporadic or indicative of an increasing trend.
Step-by-step explanation:
When considering when to notify the state about an incidence with a Reportable Airborne Material (RAM), epidemiologists may look for patterns indicating whether an outbreak is sporadic or a sign of a disease becoming more prevalent. In such cases, the incidence rates at various intervals throughout a specific year can be crucial. For instance, to understand the trends over the year 2013 in upstate New York, epidemiologists referred to data from the NNDSS database. Weekly incidence reports at weeks 12, 26, 40, and 52 were analyzed to discern any patterns. They analyze weekly reports over the year, such as in 2013 for upstate New York, to notify the state of significant findings.
Accessing the NNDSS database involves navigating to cdc.gov and finding the MMWR State Health Statistics for morbidity tables, where one can then 'Search Morbidity Tables' to find the necessary data. Prompt reporting aids in disease surveillance and control, which is critical for public health.