Endemics, Epidemics and Pandemics
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Introduction[edit | edit source]
Infectious diseases are ever-present in society but every once in a while there may be an outbreak, a new strain or a new disease that has a significant impact at either a local or global level[1]. The spread and rate of new cases can be classified as[1]:
- Endemic - describes a disease that is present permanently in a region or population
- Epidemic - is an outbreak that affects many people at one time and can spread through one or several communities
- Pandemic - is the term used to describe the significant global spread of an epidemic.
Endemic[edit | edit source]
Endemic is derived from greek en meaning in and demos meaning people. It is used to describe disease that is at a constant rate within a society or country. Each country may have a disease that is unique, for example in the Caribbean Dengue is still present due to failure to eradicate the Aedes aegypti mosquito. Dengue first appeared in the Americas and the Caribbean and with the assistance of the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) in the 1950s and 1960s the Americas were largely able to eradicate the presence of the Aedes Aegypti virtually eliminating the occurrence of Dengue[2]. However, failure to eradicate its presence in the Caribbean resulted in the continued transmission throughout the region and more recently it has found its way back into the Americas causing several epidemics[2]. Another example of an endemic is varicella, more commonly known as chickenpox in the UK. It is more common in children under the age of 10, who often only experience mild symptoms and after exposure build up a natural immunity to the virus. Although there is a vaccine available it is only offered to those who are seen as vulnerable[3]
Epidemic[edit | edit source]
Pandemic[edit | edit source]
An infectious disease can be spread by either bacterial or viral agent but in most cases a pandemic is the result of a transmissible infectious disease. Once an epidemic becomes global and affects a large percent of the population it becomes known as a pandemic. The terms pandemic and epidemic are used to describe the rate and distance of the spread of the disease and not the severity of the disease. Significant features of a pandemic are listed below:
- Affects a wider geographical area, often global
- Infects a large number of people
- Often caused by a new virus or a new strain of a virus that has been dormant for many years.
- Spreads quickly in humans as there is little to no immunity
- Can cause a high number of deaths
- Because of the need to control the spread of the disease, there is often social disruption, unrest and economic loss
A pandemic will be declared by the World Health Organisation WHO (what criteria).
Stages of a Pandemic[edit | edit source]
Recovering after a Pandemic[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 US Department of Health and Human Services. Principles of Epidemiology in Public Health Practice Third Edition An Introduction to Applied Epidemiology and Biostatistics. Accessed 15 March 2020
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Brandling-Bennett AD, Penheiro F. Infectious diseases in Latin America and the Caribbean: are they really emerging and increasing?. Emerging infectious diseases. 1996 Jan;2(1):59.
- ↑ Chickenpox vaccine overview. NHS Website. Accessed 15 March 2020
