Pandemic is a term used to describe an outbreak of disease that spreads widely and affects a large number of people at the same time. A pandemic is different from an epidemic or an endemic disease as the latter two typically occur in limited areas. A pandemic can happen if the disease grows stronger, is introduced somewhere it has never before been or has new ways to enter the bodies of humans, or if there are factors such as a changing climate that allow the pathogen to spread more easily.
A major difference between an epidemic and a pandemic is that it usually takes place in one country or region, while a pandemic can affect multiple countries and continents at the same time. Because of this, a pandemic can have more of an impact on global economies than an epidemic does. This is because people are more likely to avoid travel and restaurants, as well as stay home from work, and businesses may be forced to close.
The definition of a pandemic also involves how severe the outbreak is. This is why the outbreak of the novel coronavirus COVID-19 was quickly declared a pandemic. The WHO director in charge of pandemics, Tedros Ghebreyesus, recently stated that he would not hesitate to re-declare a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) for COVID-19 if the world’s situation worsens.
There are several things that can be done to help slow the spread of a pandemic. These include:
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