What is the difference between endemic epidemic and pandemic diseases

An endemic virus is relatively constant in a population with largely predictable patterns. Viruses can circulate endemically in specific geographical regions, or globally.

Ross River virus circulates endemically in Australia and the Pacific island countries, but is not found in other regions of the world. Meanwhile, rhinoviruses which cause the common cold circulate endemically around the world. And influenza is an endemic virus we monitor for its epidemic and pandemic potential. Over time and thanks to public health efforts from mask wearing to vaccination, the pandemic could disappear like small pox and polio did — or it might gradually become endemic.

Host, environment and virus factors combine to explain why some viruses are endemic while others are epidemic. In terms of environment, the virus transmits better in cold, dry, crowded, close-contact, confined settings with poor ventilation. Each virus has its own characteristics, from speed of virus replication to drug resistance. Most public health experts currently agree COVID is here to stay rather than likely to disappear like small pox, at least for a while.

They expect the number of infections to become fairly constant across years with possible seasonal trends and occasional smaller outbreaks. Globally, the road from pandemic to endemic will be a rocky one.

Petersburg before quickly making its way through Europe and the rest of the world, despite the fact that air travel didn't exist yet, leaving 1 million people in its wake. Spanish Flu - : Another massive disease outbreak was the influenza pandemic, popularly called Spanish flu. This viral pandemic began in , immediately following World War 1. Over 50 million deaths were recorded during this outbreak, with the disease lasting only two years.

The Asian Flu - : The Asian Flu pandemic, which was a blend of avian flu viruses, began in China and eventually claimed more than 1 million lives. The total death toll was more than 1. Scientists believe that HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, is likely to have evolved from a virus found in chimpanzees that was transferred to humans in West Africa in the s.

By the late 20th century, the virus had made its way around the world. For decades, the disease had no known cure, but medication developed in the s now allows people with the disease to experience a normal life span with regular treatment.

Explore More: Columbia Public Health faculty have led on every aspect of the global response to HIV, from research into mother-to-child transmission to strengthening treatment and care systems to the history of stigma, advocacy, and coalition-building. A common attribute of epidemic and pandemics is the need to take preventive care from infection.

Typically, there is a large time lag between an outbreak and when vaccinations can be distributed, as we have seen with COVID Since , the Columbia Mailman School of Public Health has led the charge in public health research, education, and community collaboration. We tackle today's pressing public health issues and translate research into action. Learn more about our public health degree programs. Search form Search. Last Updated pm Sep 30, See Coronavirus Updates for information on returning to campus, and more.

What is an Epidemic? What is a Pandemic? What is an Endemic? What are the Differences Between Pandemics and Epidemics? Causes of Disease Outbreaks Several factors contribute to the outbreak of infectious diseases. For example: Weather conditions. For example, whooping cough occurs in spring, whereas measles tend to appear in the winter season. Going one step farther, an endemic can lead to an outbreak, and an outbreak can happen anywhere.

Mosquitoes in these areas carry dengue fever and transmit it from person to person. But in there was an outbreak of dengue fever in Hawaii, where the disease is not endemic. The insects then transferred the disease to other individuals they bit, which created an outbreak. Intermountain Healthcare is a Utah-based, not-for-profit system of 24 hospitals includes "virtual" hospital , a Medical Group with more than 2, physicians and advanced practice clinicians at about clinics, a health plans division called SelectHealth, and other health services.

Helping people live the healthiest lives possible, Intermountain is widely recognized as a leader in clinical quality improvement and efficient healthcare delivery. Which should I choose?