Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
An endemic disease is one that is consistently present within a specific geographic area or population group. The incidence of the disease remains relatively stable over time within this region or group.
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Endemic diseases often have a constant presence in a population but do not cause widespread outbreaks.
Examples of endemic bacterial diseases include tuberculosis in certain regions and Helicobacter pylori infections.
The stability of an endemic disease's occurrence does not imply it is harmless; it can still result in significant morbidity and mortality.
Endemic diseases can become epidemic or pandemic if conditions change, such as through increased transmission rates or pathogen mutation.
Control measures for endemic diseases often focus on vaccination, public health initiatives, and ongoing surveillance.
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Related terms
Epidemic: A widespread occurrence of an infectious disease in a community at a particular time.
Pandemic: An outbreak of a disease that occurs on a global scale, crossing international boundaries and affecting large numbers of people.
Pathogen: Any organism that can cause disease, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites.