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What Are Epidemics, Pandemics, and Outbreaks?

Epidemics, Pandemics, and Outbreaks

When is a disease outbreak a concern? And what is the difference between an epidemic and a

pandemic? Learn the basics about the spread of serious diseases and what you can do to protect

yourself, your family, and your community.

What is a disease outbreak?

A disease outbreak happens when a disease occurs in greater numbers than expected in a

community or region, or during a season. An outbreak may occur in one community or even

extend to several countries. It can last from days to years.

ometimes a single case of a contagious disease is considered an outbreak. !his may be true if it

is an unknown disease, is new to a community, or has been absent from a population for a long

time.

If you observe what you think might be a disease outbreak, report it right away to your health care

provider or public health department.

What is an epidemic?

An epidemic occurs when an infectious disease spreads rapidly to many people. In "##$, the

severe acute respiratory syndrome %A&' epidemic took the lives of nearly (## people

worldwide.

What is a pandemic?

A pandemic is a global disease outbreak. )I*+AI is an example of one of the most destructive

global pandemics in history.

Influen-apandemics have occurred more than once.

panish influen-a killed #/0# million people in 121(.

Asian influen-a killed " million people in 1203.

)ong 4ong influen-a killed 1 million people in 125(.

An influen-a pandemic occurs when6

A new subtype of virus arises. !his means humans have little or no immunity to it.

7veryone is at risk.

!he virus spreads easily from person to person, such as through snee-ing or coughing.

!he virus begins to cause serious illness worldwide. With past flu pandemics, the virus

reached all parts of the globe within six to nine months. With the speed of air travel today, public

health experts believe an influen-a pandemic could spread much more 8uickly. A pandemic can

occur in waves. And all parts of the world may not be affected at the same time.

!he World )ealth 9rgani-ation %W)9' provides an influen-a pandemic alert system, with a scale

ranging from :hase 1 %a low risk of a flu pandemic' to :hase 5 %a full/blown pandemic'6

Phase 1:A virus in animals has caused no known infections in humans.

Phase 2:An animal flu virus has caused infection in humans.

Phase 3:poradic cases or small clusters of disease occur in humans. )uman/to/human

transmission, if any, is insufficient to cause community/level outbreaks.

Phase 4:!he risk for a pandemic is greatly increased but not certain.

Phase 5:pread of disease between humans is occurring in more than one country of

one W)9 region.

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Phase 6:;ommunity/level outbreaks are in at least one additional country in a different

W)9 region from phase 0. A global pandemic is under way.

)ow many people die from a pandemic depends upon6

!he number of people who become infected

!he severity of disease caused by the virus %its virulence'

!he vulnerability of affected populations

!he effectiveness of preventive steps

What Are Epidemics, Pandemics, and Outbreaks?%continued'

Preention: !"o#in$ the !pread o% Pandemic &isease

!here is no foolproof method for preventing the spread of disease during an influen-a outbreak,

epidemic, or pandemic. Although a vaccine is not likely to be available at first, today it is easier to

produce specific vaccines more 8uickly than in the past. 9nce a vaccine becomes available,

certain individuals and groups will be vaccinated first. If mass vaccination clinics become

available in your community, be prepared to provide medical information about your family.In addition to vaccinations, you can take other prevention steps like these.

Wash your hands often with soap and water. If these are not available, use an alcohol/

based hand cleaner or gel saniti-er. If using a gel, rub your hands until they become dry.

Avoid touching your mouth, nose, or eyes with your hands unless you

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Pandemic !eerit' (nde)

!he ;; has developed a:andemic everity Index,with categories of increasing severity

%;ategory 1 to ;ategory 0'. It uses a ratio to estimate the number of expected deaths. imilar to

preparing for a hurricane, this index helps communities with pandemic preparedness and

planning.

What Are Epidemics, Pandemics, and Outbreaks?%continued'

Antiira" *edications %or +reatment and Preention

If available, prescription antiviral drugsmay help with both treatment and prevention of influen-a.

!hese may come in a pill, li8uid, or inhaled form. >our influen-a antiviral drugs are approved in

the nited tates, although some viruses are resistant to one or more of these6

!amiflu %oseltamivir'

&elen-a %-anamivir'

ymadine, ymmetrel %amantadine'

>lumadine %rimantadine'

(% 'ou are a"read' sick and it has been "ess than 4 hours since the onset o% s'mptoms,anantiviral drug may help by6

@aking you feel better faster

4eeping you from getting seriously ill

:reventing serious complications

(% 'ou hae been e)posed to in%"uen-a,an antiviral drug may be about 3#/2# effective in

preventing illness.

Pandemic Preparation

A pandemic causes economic and social disruption due to high rates of illness and worker

absenteeism. !his is especially true if absenteeism affects key services such as transportation,

communication, or power.

)ere are a few things you can do6

:lan ahead, in case services are disrupted. !his is especially important if someone in

your family has special needs. >or example, make sure to have a way to fill needed prescriptions.

ee if you can work from home in the event of a pandemic.

:lan home learning activities if school is closed.

tore extra water, food, and supplies.

tay as healthy as you can by getting ade8uate rest, managing stress,eating right, and

continuing toexercise.

Assist seniors in your community.

>or more information on influen-a pandemic preparedness, go to www.pandemicflu.gov.Bou can

also call the ;; )otline at (##/;;/IC>9 %(##/"$"/5$5' or email 8uestions to

cdcinfoDcdc.gov.

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