There is a very thin line between an epidemic and pandemic. With the outbreak of the Corona Virus (Covid-19) there is a huge buzz of it being an epidemic and many nations are considering it as an epidemic. here is what I wish to say, please do not make your own reforms, follow world health organisation (WHO) and other authentic Health organisation who are in constant dealing with doctors and researchers. Just wanted to make things easy for you and for all those who do not know what is the difference between epidemic and pandemic, please read the blog.
Covid has declared a pandemic by WHO. The decision to declare COVID-19 a pandemic was a result of the fast rate in which it is spreading, according to the WHO. But what’s the difference between a pandemic and epidemic? Let’s discuss.
What is an epidemic?
An epidemic is an outbreak of a disease that spreads speedily and influences many individuals at the same time. An outbreak occurs when there is an immediate increase in the number of cases of a disease. It usually describes an extension that was not predicted. An outbreak can occur in a community, geographical area or several countries. Usually, an epidemic is used to report any problem that has grown out of control and can be measured by the vaccine only (probability). During an epidemic, the disease is actively spreading and we see no control over it.
What is a pandemic?
A pandemic is a type of epidemic (one of the type) that is related to the geographic and community spread and represents a disease that afflicts an entire country or the whole world. Here that is why Corona is being declared as Pandemic. In simpler terms, a pandemic is something which spreads international and becomes out of control. To quote an example, when a sick traveller with COVID-19 returns to the U.S. from China doesn’t make a pandemic, if they infect a few family members or friends in their host country, then there’s some debate. If new local outbreaks ensue, epidemiologists will agree that efforts to control global spread have failed and refer to the emerging situation as a pandemic.
How a pandemic is different:
- Affects a wider geographical area, often worldwide
- Infects a larger number of people
- Often caused by a new virus or a new strain of the virus that has not circulated within people for a long time
- Humans have little to no immunity against the virus and it spreads quickly
- Causes more deaths
- Often creates social disruption and economic loss
Read: WHO Declares Corona Virus Pandemic – WHO Call For Aggressive Action
With all this, it doesn’t mean that the virus has become deadly and has to be considered as an epidemic. This does not incite fear or cause a stockpile of surgical masks. But it certainly means that we all need to precautious of hygiene and takes care of ourselves in the best possible way.
Follow the guidelines of WHO and follow the instructions. We all together will be eliminating it.