Most of us think that epidemic and pandemic are synonymous. But, they are not. There is a slight difference between these two terms. This story explains the difference between the two.
Both epidemic and pandemic affect a large number of people as the diseases are transmitted through direct contact or through media like air, water, and food. If appropriate measures are not taken to control a contagious disease, the disease spreads, taking the form of an epidemic.
It can further transform into a pandemic in case it afflicts an even larger population. The diseases can range from minor ones like cold and flu to major and severe ones like malaria, influenza, cholera, measles, yellow fever, etc.
In fact, a disease that can spread through air, food, water, contact, or the vector causing it, can become an epidemic or pandemic in case it spreads uncontrollably.
Difference between Epidemic and Pandemic
Epidemic
Epidemic is a widespread outbreak of an infectious disease that afflicts an alarmingly large population at the same time. It is generally limited to a small area like, a city or town. Since it affects less number of people compared to pandemic, it is relatively easier to control an epidemic.
Various factors can trigger an epidemic. They are:
People with a weak immune system
People affected by malnutrition, cancer, AIDS, and other diseases
Pathogens that are resistant to drugs or vaccine against the disease
Epidemics in the Past
Plague, which is also referred to as black death, is a disease which spreads through fleas present on rats' bodies. The plague epidemic had hit Europe in 1350, affecting a large number of people residing in different cities across the region.
Cholera is another life-threatening disease, which is caused due to infestation of comma-shaped bacteria known as Vibrio cholerae. In 1947, cholera epidemic claimed the lives of 30,000 Egyptians.
Pandemic
A pandemic is basically an epidemic that is geographically widespread, occurring throughout a region or even throughout the world. Controlling a pandemic is really difficult as the disease spreads like wildfire, at times, claiming lives of thousands of people across the globe.
If the preventive programs designed to curb the spread of an epidemic are not implemented as designed, it spreads further, taking the form of a pandemic. If weather conditions become conducive to the spread of the disease causing agents, a pandemic occurs. The other reasons for the spread of pandemic are same as those for epidemic.
Pandemics in the Past
Smallpox was one deadly disease which had affected many people in the 18th century. Almost 60 million Europeans lost their lives in smallpox pandemic. Spanish flu which occurred in the year 1918 had killed more than 50 million people worldwide and half a million in the United States.
Malaria is a disease caused by female anopheles mosquitoes. Pregnant women and children below the age of 5 are more prone to this disease. It had once claimed 2 million lives worldwide.
The Coronavirus of 2020 that has affected China is also a huge example of pandemic.
It is extremely important to take precautionary measures to curb the spread of diseases that can lead to an epidemic or pandemic. Nowadays, vaccinations against many of the dreadful diseases are available.
Quarantining the patients is another effective measure in controlling an epidemic, wherein, the infected person is isolated from others so that the others do not acquire the infection. Apart from adopting these preventive measures, maintaining personal hygiene is also a must.
Disclaimer: This story is for informative purposes only, and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice.