Pandemics
Definition
A pandemic is an outbreak of a disease that occurs over a wide geographic area and affects an exceptionally high proportion of the population.
Analogy
Imagine a viral dance challenge on social media. It starts with one person, but quickly spreads across different countries and continents, with many people participating (getting infected). That's how a pandemic works - it starts in one place but rapidly spreads globally.
Related terms
Epidemic: This 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.
Endemic: This refers to the constant presence and/or usual prevalence of a disease or infectious agent in a population within a geographic area.
Zoonotic Diseases: These are diseases caused by harmful germs like viruses, bacterial, parasites, and fungi that spread between animals and people.
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