A pandemic is an outbreak of a disease that occurs over a wide geographic area and affects an exceptionally high proportion of the population.
Imagine a viral dance challenge on social media. It starts with one person, but quickly spreads across different countries and continents, with many people participating (getting infected). That's how a pandemic works - it starts in one place but rapidly spreads globally.
Epidemic: This 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.
Endemic: This refers to the constant presence and/or usual prevalence of a disease or infectious agent in a population within a geographic area.
Zoonotic Diseases: These are diseases caused by harmful germs like viruses, bacterial, parasites, and fungi that spread between animals and people.
Study guides for the entire semester
200k practice questions
Glossary of 50k key terms - memorize important vocab
© 2024 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.
AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.