Epidemics vs. pandemics (Joseph Kirchgassner

The spread of infectious disease starts where the disease is endemic. Then through outbreaks, it turns into an epidemic, which can turn into a pandemic if not controlled. All of this is a way to describe how a disease is spreading. It is not an indication of the severity or death rate. Countries, or states, with different views present the risk of spreading diseases more than necessary and can lead to confusion and poor health outcomes for individuals in affected areas.

Endemic: a disease present in a specific area Outbreak: greater presence of disease than expected Epidemic: disease that affects many people in an area/region Pandemic: disease over multiple countries/continents World Health Organization (WHO): This is an international organization that provides guidance and resources to countries to improve public health.

How Organizations Differentiate Epidemic and Pandemics

United States World Health Organization Canada

The Center for Disease Control didn’t The WHO also doesn’t have definite Health Canada had similar definitions list any specific metrics for an metrics that make an epidemic turn in to the CDC and WHO, but they went epidemic or pandemic. They refer to a to a pandemic. They take a broad into much more detail about pandemic as an epidemic that is approach like the CDC, but they do pandemics. They primarily listed present in multiple countries or outline the 6 phases seen above. characteristics about recent flu continents. They note that epidemics There is also a post-peak/pandemic pandemics and how they generally are occur due to novelty, mutation, or a phase in which the disease infection more deadly and last for 1-2 years. new mode of transmission of a rate is dwindling. I find it interesting These claims are much different from disease. The CDC does affirm that that technically only three countries everything else I’ve read, as the CDC epidemics and pandemics are solely a have to be infected and transmitting and WHO do not touch on the severity way to describe how a disease the disease for it to be considered a or length of disease transmission in spreads. pandemic. their epidemic and pandemic definitions. WHO Pandemic Phases: Phase 1: No Disease → Phase 2: Disease in Animals → Phase 3: Isolated Animal-Human transmission → Phase 4: Human-Human transmission, with outbreak potential → Phase 5: Outbreaks in 2 countries in a WHO Region → Phase 6: Same as Phase 5 and one additional country in a different WHO region

Personal Opinion:

Cultures have ingrained ways of viewing disease and how they should be treated, mitigated, and managed. I think in the end, travelers and citizens need to take responsibility for their own health. Understanding the local customs of the places you live or are visiting can provide the most applicable information for personal decisions. One government agency might think a disease is a concern, while others may not give it thought. It comes down to the individual to evaluate their risks and understand how they can stop the spread of infectious diseases. ~ J. Kirchgassner

WHO Regions

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:World_Health_Organisation_regio nal_offices.svg

References: Canadian Pandemic Influenza Preparedness: Planning Guidance for the Health Sector. Canada.ca. https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/flu-influenza/canadian-pandemicinfluenza-preparedness-planning-guidance-health-sector/table-of-contents.html#a2a2. Published August 2018. Accessed March 28, 2021 Principles of Epidemiology in Public Health Practice. Lesson 1: Introduction to Epidemiology. Section 11 Epidemic Disease Occurrence. cdc.gov. https://www.cdc.gov/csels/dsepd/ss1978/lesson1/section11.html#:~:text=Pandemic%20refers%20to%20an%20epidemic,source%20to%20the%20susceptible%20hosts. May 18,2012. Accessed March 28,2021. The Who Pandemic Phases. Pandemic Influenza Preparedness and Response: A WHO Guidance Document. Geneva World Health Organization;2009. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK143061/ Accessed March 28, 2021