An outbreak is called an epidemic when there is a sudden increase in cases. As COVID-19 began spreading in Wuhan, China, it became an epidemic. Because the disease then spread across several countries and affected a large number of people, it was classified as a pandemic.
What is a pandemic?
Pandemic: Event in which a disease spreads across several countries and affects a large number of people.
When did COVID-19 start?
December 12, 2019 A cluster of patients in Wuhan, Hubei Providence, China begin to experience shortness of breath and fever.
What is a disease outbreak?
A disease outbreak is the occurrence of disease cases in excess of normal expectancy. The number of cases varies according to the disease-causing agent, and the size and type of previous and existing exposure to the agent. Disease outbreaks are usually caused by an infection, transmitted through person-to-person contact, animal-to-person contact, or from the environment or other media. Outbreaks may also occur following exposure to chemicals or to radioactive materials.
What is a pandemic in the context of COVID-19?
Pandemic: An epidemic occurring worldwide, or over a very wide area, crossing international boundaries and usually affecting a large number of people.COVID-19 was declared a pandemic in March 2020 by the World Health Organization.
Where did the COVID-19 come from?
Experts say SARS-CoV-2 originated in bats. That’s also how the coronaviruses behind Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) got started.
What is the 1918-1919 Spanish flu pandemic?
The 1918–1919 “Spanish flu” pandemic resulted in dramatic mortality worldwide. A pandemic (from Greek πᾶν pan “all” and δῆμος demos “people”) is an epidemic of infectious disease that has spread across a large region; for instance multiple continents, or even worldwide.
What is an outbreak of a disease?
: an outbreak of a disease that occurs over a wide geographic area and affects an exceptionally high proportion of the population : a pandemic outbreak of a disease.
What is the cause of the covid-19 pandemic?
The ongoing global pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).
What is an epidemic that spreads globally?
A pandemic is an epidemic that spreads globally. An emerging infection newly appears in a population or is spread in a new geographic area (Morens et al., 2004). The zoonotic transmission of pathogens from animals to humans is a pivotal mechanism by which emerging infections have afflicted humans throughout history (Wolfe et al., 2007).
