Epidemiology is a field of medical science. It tries to discover the cause of disease happened in a group.
Suppose, if true cause is a bacteria, but we cannot find the cause. But we act a temporary measure. For example, if we find the cause is related a food, we forbid to eat it.
This action is called "precautionary principle" in risk management . If we take precautionary principle too much, our daily life is difficult. So balance to take this principle is important.
By the way, if we can find true cause, it is the best.
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