EPIDEMIC, ENDEMIC AND PANDEMIC

 

WHAT IS AN EPIDEMIC?

An epidemic is an unexpected increase in the number of disease cases in a specific geographical area. Yellow fever, smallpox, measles, and polio are prime examples of epidemics that occurred in our history.

Notably, an epidemic disease does not necessarily have to be contagious. For example, West Nile fever and the rapid increase in obesity rates are also considered epidemics.

In broader terms, epidemics can refer to a disease or other specific health-related behaviour (e.g., smoking) with rates that are clearly above the expected occurrence in a community or region.

WHAT IS A PANDEMIC?

The World Health Organization (WHO) declares a pandemic when the growth of a disease is exponential. This means growth rate skyrockets and each day cases grow more than the day prior.

In being declared a pandemic, the virus has nothing to do with virology, population immunity or disease severity. It means a virus covers a wide area, affecting several countries and populations.

WHAT IS AN ENDEMIC?

An endemic is a disease outbreak that is consistently present but limited to a particular region. This makes the disease spread and rates predictable.

Malaria, for example, is considered an endemic in certain countries and regions.

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN PANDEMICS AND EPIDEMICS?

The WHO defines pandemics, epidemics, and endemics based on a disease's rate of spread. Thus, the difference between an epidemic and a pandemic is not in the severity of the disease but the degree to which it has spread.

A pandemic cuts across international boundaries, as opposed to regional epidemics. This wide geographical reach is what makes pandemics lead to large-scale social disruption, economic loss and general hardship.

It is important to note that a once-declared epidemic can progress into pandemic status. While an epidemic is large, it is also generally contained or expected in its spread, while a pandemic is international and out of control.

CAUSES OF DISEASE OUTBREAKS.

Several factors contribute to the outbreak of infectious diseases. Contraction can occur as a result of transmission from people, animals or even the environment. For example:

• Weather conditions. For example, whooping cough occurs in spring, whereas measles tend to appear in the winter season.
• Exposure to chemicals or radioactive materials.For example, Minamata is a disease contracted after exposure to mercury.
• The social aftermath of disasters such as storms, earthquakes, and droughts can lead to high disease transmission.
• A number of environmental factors such as water supply, food, air quality, and sanitation facilities can catalyze the spread of infectious diseases.

Disease origins can also be unknown. These kinds of diseases could be caused by a variety of factors, including:

• A new or newly modified pathogen.
• Natural toxins.
• Undetected chemical releases.
• Unknown ionizing radiation over-exposure.

The field of epidemiology works to trace these unidentified outbreaks to the source in an effort to protect public health and safety.

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