Which is the best definition of an epidemic?
An epidemic (from Greek ἐπί epi “upon or above” and δῆμος demos “people”) is the rapid spread of infectious disease to a large number of people in a given population within a short period of time, usually two weeks or less.
What’s the difference between an epidemic and a cluster?
Epidemic refers to an increase, often sudden, in the number of cases of a disease above what is normally expected in that population in that area. Outbreak carries the same definition of epidemic, but is often used for a more limited geographic area. Cluster refers to an aggregation of cases grouped in place and time that are suspected …
What’s the difference between a flu epidemic and a pandemic?
Unlike a seasonal flu epidemic, pandemic flu is a new flu strain that hasn’t circulated in person for a long time, if ever. Because of this, humans have little to no immunity against the virus and it spreads quickly and globally, causing widespread sickness and deaths . Number of deaths can be significantly higher.
What are the different types of epidemic point sources?
Types of epidemic Point source – An epidemic in which all cases are infected at the same time, usually from a single source or exposure. (Giesecke, pp. 135-136)
Which epidemic was most deadly?
The Spanish flu, caused by the H1N1 virus in 1918, was the deadliest pandemic in human history. In a matter of months since it first appeared, it affected the whole planet, leaving one-third of the entire population infected, and more than 50 million dead.
What is an epidemic and how does it start?
Think of an epidemic as a forest fire that usually starts from a small area and then spreads rapidly through the forest, engulfing all the trees. An epidemic occurs when a disease spreads rapidly amongst a large number of people in a particular region or country, making everyone sick at the same time.
What if an epidemic that becomes very widespread is called?
A pandemic occurs when an epidemic becomes very widespread and affects a whole region, a continent, or the entire world. The word “endemic” comes from the Greek “en-“, “in” + “demos”, “people or population” = “endemos” = “in the population.”
What should be done at the start of an epidemic?
Avoid crowded places as much as you can and stay home if you show signs of illness. Depending on the severity of the pandemic, consider wearing a face mask if you must go into a crowded area or be within 6 feet of others. Consider wearing a face mask if you must come into close contact with an infected person.
When does an epidemic spread to a larger area?
This may be true if it’s an unknown disease, if it’s new to a community, or if it’s been absent from a population for a long time. An epidemic is when an infectious disease spreads quickly to more people than experts would expect. It usually affects a larger area than an outbreak.
What’s the difference between an outbreak and a pandemic?
A pandemic is a global disease outbreak. It differs from an outbreak or epidemic because it: affects a wider geographical area, often worldwide. infects a greater number of people than an epidemic. is often caused by a new virus or a strain of virus that has not circulated among people for a long time.
Why does an epidemic usually wane after a few generations?
The epidemic usually wanes after a few generations, either because the number of susceptible persons falls below some critical level required to sustain transmission, or because intervention measures become effective.
What is the criteria for an epidemic?
Generally, an epidemic occurs when host immunity to either an established pathogen or newly emerging novel pathogen is suddenly reduced below that found in the endemic equilibrium and the transmission threshold is exceeded.
What is an example of epidemic disease?
An epidemic is when an unusually large number of people in a community get a disease at the same time. Examples of epidemic diseases include typhus, influenza, the Black Death, malaria, and smallpox.
What is the definition of epidemic disease?
epidemic disease – any infectious disease that develops and spreads rapidly to many people pest, pestilence, plague – any epidemic disease with a high death rate infectious disease – a disease transmitted only by a specific kind of contact
What is an epidemic disease?
epidemic disease – any infectious disease that develops and spreads rapidly to many people. pest, pestilence, plague – any epidemic disease with a high death rate.