IMMUNOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -So, as a recap, let’s answer the question “What exactly is a pandemic?” A pandemic refers to a disease event in which there are more cases of a disease than expected spread over several Page 4 countries or continents, usually involving person-to-person transmission and affecting a large number of people.

Detailed explanation-2: -Epidemic 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. Outbreak carries the same definition of epidemic, but is often used for a more limited geographic area.

Detailed explanation-3: -A pandemic is the worldwide spread of a new disease. Viral respiratory diseases, such as those caused by a new influenza virus or the coronavirus COVID-19, are the most likely to turn into a pandemic. A pandemic is not the same as an epidemic.

Detailed explanation-4: -The occurrence of a disease outbreak requires a pathogen in sufficient quantities, a mode of transmission, and a pool of susceptible persons. The two primary modes of transmission of pathogens in disease outbreaks are person-to-person spread and common source of exposure.

Detailed explanation-5: -For example, the flu is a common endemic virus for which there are treatment options and a yearly vaccine. However, there can be outbreaks of flu that can lead to an epidemic, with the potential to occasionally become a pandemic as was seen with the H1N1 flu pandemic of 2009.

Detailed explanation-6: -Guidelines for writing outbreak investigation reports. Date: Date of report. Half page or less: Nature of the problem and its public health importance: Contacts in the field and investigation team. Objectives of the investigation. Case definition. Case finding methods. Analytical study-design and rationale. More items