Exact Difference between Pandemic and Epidemic | Briefly Explained

As Coronavirus has spread across the globe. Many have been referring to it as an Epidemic but a March 11th the World Health Organization took the big step of referring to it as a Pandemic.

All are deeply concerned both by the alarming levels of spread and severity and by the alarming levels of inaction and therefore made the assessment that Covid 19 can be characterized as a Pandemic. For a lot of people this probably didn't come as a surprise a lot of news outlets. 

The words Pandemic and Epidemic have been used pretty interchangeably but words do matter so.

What exactly is the difference between a pandemic and an epidemic?

Epidemic

1. The CDC defines an Epidemic as an often sudden increase in the number of cases of a disease above what is normally expected in that population area.

Examples of an Epidemic includes:

• The Opioid Epidemic in the US 
• The SARS Epidemic which killed about 800 people worldwide in 2003.

2. Epidemic is a disease that is present within a community.

3. It results in lesser Deaths,  Lesser Social Disturbance as Compared to Pandemic.

Pandemic

A pandemic on the other hand is a much more serious type of Epidemic.

1. The CDC defines a Pandemic as an Epidemic that has spread over several countries or continents usually affecting a large number of people.

Examples of Pandemics includes;

• Medieval Black Death
• HIV and AIDS Crisis

2. Endemic is a disease that is press within a Country. 

3. It results in higher Deaths,  Higher Social Disturbance, and Economic Losses.

Also Visit: Difference between Pfizer and Moderna Covid Vaccines

Covid 19 was once an Epidemic that was only spread in Wuhan City of China but now it is a Pandemic means it is Geography spread right now.