Public Health Epidemic/Pandemic
Public Health Epidemic/Pandemic
Epidemic
An epidemic is a localized outbreak that spreads rapidly and affects many people or animals in a community.
Pandemic
A pandemic is an epidemic that occurs worldwide or over a large area and affects many people or animals.
For example, an influenza pandemic occurs when a new, virulent strain of the Influenza A virus emerges and there is little or no immunity in human populations, allowing the virus to circulate globally. The virus would be easily transmitted and could make many people very sick in a relatively short period of time. Its effects on humans could be mild, moderate, or very severe, even leading to death.
Based on their characteristics and capacity to spread, the following human diseases could also contribute to a serious epidemic and should be noted: Methicillin-resistant staphylococcus, West Nile virus, H1N1 influenza, Severe acute respiratory syndrome, Measles, Hepatitis, Tuberculosis, E. coli, Lyme disease, Hantavirus, Leptospirosis.