Rapid spread of disease affecting a large number of people in a short time
For other uses, see Epidemic (disambiguation).
Example of an epidemic showing the number of new infections over time.
An epidemic (from Greek ἐπί epi "upon or above" and δῆμος demos "people") is the rapid spread of disease to a large number of hosts in a given population within a short period of time. For example, in meningococcal infections, an attack rate in excess of 15 cases per 100,000 people for two consecutive weeks is considered an epidemic.[1][2]
Epidemics of infectious disease are generally caused by several factors including a change in the ecology of the host population (e.g., increased stress or increase in the density of a vector species), a genetic change in the pathogen reservoir or the introduction of an emerging pathogen to a host population (by movement of pathogen or host). Generally, an epidemic occurs when host immunity to either an established pathogen or newly emerging novel pathogen is suddenly reduced below that found in the endemic equilibrium and the transmission threshold is exceeded.[3]
An epidemic may be restricted to one location; however, if it spreads to other countries or continents and affects a substantial number of people, it may be termed as a pandemic.[1]: §1:72 The declaration of an epidemic usually requires a good understanding of a baseline rate of incidence; epidemics for certain diseases, such as influenza, are defined as reaching some defined increase in incidence above this baseline.[2] A few cases of a very rare disease may be classified as an epidemic, while many cases of a common disease (such as the common cold) would not. An epidemic can cause enormous damage through financial and economic losses in addition to impaired health and loss of life.[citation needed]
^ abDicker RC, Coronado F, Koo D, Parrish RG (2012). Principles of epidemiology in public health practice; an introduction to applied epidemiology and biostatistics. 3rd ed (Third ed.). Atlanta, Georgia: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
^ abGreen MS, Swartz T, Mayshar E, Lev B, Leventhal A, Slater PE, Shemer J (January 2002). "When is an epidemic an epidemic?" (PDF). The Israel Medical Association Journal. 4 (1): 3–6. PMID 11802306.
^Callow PP, ed. (1998). "Epidemic". The Encyclopedia of Ecology and Environmental Management. Oxford: Blackwell Science Ltd. p. 246. ISBN 0-86542-838-7.
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