What is the difference between a pandemic and an epidemic?
APFluWatch Answers Pandemic Flu and Avian Flu Questionsepidemic occurs over large geographical areas and affects a large percentage of the population (20-40%). Epidemics usually refer to issues in a specific region or country. A pandemic is an epidemic that occurs throughout the world.
Related QuestionsWhat is a Pandemic? Is it different to an Epidemic?
Avian Bird Flu FAQ - Frequently Asked QuestionsA pandemic disease is one that spreads quickly over a very wide geographical area and affects a huge number of people all over the globe. An epidemic disease differs in that it would normally be confined to a smaller geographic area, such as a single country or area, and would therefore affect a lesser number of people than a pandemic would. Typically, a pandemic can occur when a highly virulent disease emerges that is new to humans but is one that spreads easily amongst them.
Related QuestionsWhat is the difference between an epidemic and a pandemic?
Pandemic Influenza FAQA pandemic occurs over large geographical areas (usually worldwide) and affects a high proportion of the population; an epidemic, although it may be serious, usually refers to what is happening in one country or region.
Related QuestionsIsn’t there a flu epidemic every year? What is different about a pandemic flu?
Santa Barbara County - Pandemic Flu ResponseSeasonal flu happens every winter. It is caused by a virus that is not very different from other flu viruses that people have been exposed to, so there is some immunity (the body’s protection system) to it in the community. A pandemic flu virus is so different from other flu viruses that there is no immunity to it. A pandemic virus will affect a lot more people, and could make even healthy people very sick. About 36,000 people die in the United States each year from seasonal flu.
Related QuestionsWhat do endemic, epidemic and pandemic mean?
N2N : HIV/AIDS FAQ and AnswersEndemic is the constant presence of a disease or infectious agent in a certain geographic area or population group. Epidemic is the rapid spread of a disease in a specific area or among a certain population group. Pandemic is a worldwide epidemic; an epidemic occurring over a wide geographic area and affecting a large number of people.
Related QuestionsWhat's the difference between a pandemic and a seasonal outbreak of influenza?
Pandemic Influenza Frequently Asked QuestionsInfluenza pandemics are caused by the emergence of a virus that is "novel" (brand new) or radically different from flu viruses that circulated previously. Because people have no or little natural resistance to a new virus, and there is no readily-available vaccine, influenza pandemics often result in much more severe illness and death. Seasonal" influenza outbreaks are caused by small changes in the common influenza viruses.
Related QuestionsWhat is the difference between avian flu and pandemic flu?
Frequently Asked QuestionsTo put it simply, avian flu affects birds, and a pandemic flu would affect people. It is a bit more complicated than that, but the important thing to know is that just because birds are sick doesn't mean there is a health risk to humans. It is very likely that wild birds in San Juan County will be infected with avian flu someday. It is much more uncertain as to whether the avian flu virus will mutate to where it can easily spread from person to person and become a pandemic flu strain.
Related QuestionsWhat's the difference between pandemic flu and seasonal flu?
NAVThe very young, the very old, and people with certain chronic illnesses are most at risk of serious illness Vaccine against seasonal flu will not protect against pandemic flu. However, getting your annual flu shot is one of several things you can do to keep yourself healthy, and that may help you fight off a pandemic flu virus.
Related QuestionsWhat is an epidemic?
EISS - FAQ InfluenzaThe occurrence in a community or region of cases of influenza clearly in excess of normal year-round frequency.
Related QuestionsIs AIDS an Epidemic?
Frequently Asked Questions about HIV/AIDSMany people remember the polio epidemic which lasted from the1930's until 1954 when a vaccine was finally developed. AIDS is called an epidemic but scientists have made substantial progress in research on AIDS. Within four years of the AIDS epidemic, scientists have identified the virus that causes AIDS, discovered how it is transmitted, and developed a blood test that detects infection.
Related QuestionsWhat is a pandemic?
Avian influenza : Frequently Asked QuestionsA pandemic is an epidemic that usually affects a large proportion of the population, occurring over a wide geographic area such as a section of a nation, the entire nation, a continent or the world.
Related QuestionsAvian Flu: Frequently Asked Questions - Shenyang, ChinaA pandemic may occur when three conditions have been met: a new influenza virus subtype emerges; it infects humans causing serious illness; and it spreads easily and sustainably among humans. The H5N1 virus meets the first two conditions. The risk that it will acquire the ability to have efficient and sustained human-to-human transmission is present as long as opportunities for human infections occur.Related Questions
Pandemic Influenza Frequently Asked QuestionsAn influenza pandemic is a global outbreak that results from the emergence of a new influenza virus that can cause serious illness in humans, and spreads easily from person to person.Related Questions
When is the next pandemic due?
Avian Bird Flu Pandemic - Frequently Asked QuestionsWe do not know ? it can't be predicted. The gaps between previous pandemics have varied widely. Intervals between previous pandemics have varied from 11 to 42 years with no recognisable pattern. Three influenza pandemics occurred in the last century ? 1918/19 (Spanish flu), 1957/58 (Asian flu) and 1968/69 (Hong Kong flu). All affected large numbers of the population, causing many deaths and huge economic and social disruption.
Related QuestionsWhat is the difference between seasonal flu, avian flu and pandemic flu?
Pandemic Flu Frequently Asked Questions - Fairfax County, Vi...Seasonal (or common) flu is a respiratory illness that can be transmitted person to person. Most people have some immunity, and a vaccine is available. Avian (or bird) flu is caused by influenza viruses that occur naturally among wild birds. The H5N1 variant is deadly to domestic fowl and can be transmitted from birds to humans. There is no human immunity and no vaccine is available. Pandemic flu is virulent human flu that causes a global outbreak, or pandemic, of serious illness.
Related QuestionsOnline Health TopicsSeasonal Flu is what we usually think of as "the flu." It is a respiratory illness caused by many different influenza (flu) viruses and can be spread easily from person-to-person. Seasonal flu typically occurs between November and April with symptoms including fever, headache, fatigue, dry cough, sore throat, nasal congestion and body aches. Avian Flu (or "Bird Flu") is a term used for a set of flu viruses that cause disease mainly in birds.Related Questions
What is the difference between a pandemic and a seasonal outbreak of the flu?
Illinois Pandemic Flu PreparednessA pandemic is caused by a new influenza virus that most people have not been exposed to, so there is little or no pre-existing immunity. Seasonal flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that are similar to previous years. Some people may have built up immunity and there also is a vaccine for each year’s flu season.
Related QuestionsWhat is the difference between seasonal, avian and pandemic flu?
Pandemic flu - frequently asked questions : Department of He...It is important to be clear about the differences between seasonal flu, avian flu and pandemic flu. Avian flu is a disease which mainly affects birds. Seasonal flu refers to the viruses that circulate in the human population and cause widespread illness each winter.
Related QuestionsWhat is the difference between ordinary influenza and pandemic influenza?
Frequently Asked Questions — Pandemic Influenza —...Ordinary influenza is the influenza that circulates most of the time and produces the outbreaks we see in Canada every winter. For most people this is an unpleasant though not life-threatening illness. The strains of virus causing this type of influenza change from year to year, but can be fairly reliably predicted so that an appropriate vaccine can be prepared each year.
Related QuestionsWhat is the difference between pandemic influenza and seasonal influenza?
Pandemic Influenza - FAQSeasonal outbreaks (epidemics) are caused by subtypes of influenza viruses that are already in existence among people, whereas pandemic outbreaks are caused by new subtypes or by subtypes that have never circulated (spread) among people or that have not circulated among people for a long time. Past influenza pandemics have led to high levels of illness, death, social disruption, and economic loss.
Related QuestionsWhat is causing the epidemic?
CLOCC: FAQThere is not one single answer to this question. From genetics to politics, or from unhealthy cultural norms to too many hours spent in front of a television, there are a seemingly endless number of factors that are contributing to the rapid spread of obesity. At the simplest level it is obviously a matter of more calories consumed than expended.
Related QuestionsWhat are the "Big 7" epidemic U.S. diseases ?
theNQI.com - FAQThe Big 7 epidemic U.S. diseases are largely preventable chronic illnesses that have reached epidemic proportions in the United States. These seven diseases are robbing Americans of quality of life and longevity, and are draining U.S. healthcare resources.
Related QuestionsHow long will the current epidemic last?
Disease Listing, Cholera, General Information | CDC Bacteria...Predicting how long a Cholera epidemic will last is difficult. The cholera epidemic in Africa has lasted more than 30 years. In areas with inadequate sanitation, a cholera epidemic cannot be stopped immediately, and, although far fewer cases have been reported from Latin America and Asia in recent years, there are no signs that the global Cholera pandemic will end soon. Major improvements in sewage and water treatment systems are needed in many countries to prevent future epidemic cholera.
Related QuestionsWhat Are The Warning Signals Of The Plague Epidemic?
What Is Glomerulonephritis (GN)?The disease is transmitted from rats to man by small insects, (about 2-4 mm) i.e. rat-fleas which act as vector, i.e. they only transmit the disease, but do not suffer from it. Rather, they derive their blood meals from the plague-infected rats till the rats die. While sucking blood from... Vaccination is the key for the prevention of this disease. Therefore, a strict vaccination schedule must be followed.
Related QuestionsIs a pandemic imminent?
Frequently Asked Questions About Pandemic InfluenzaMany scientists believe it is a matter of time until the next influenza pandemic occurs. However, the timing and severity of the next pandemic cannot be predicted. Influenza pandemics occurred three times in the past century — in 1918-19, 1957-58, and 1968-69.
Related QuestionsIs a pandemic inevitable?
Frequently Asked QuestionsPandemics tend to occur every 10-40 years. Almost all experts say that an influenza pandemic is inevitable. Therefore, it is important that we prepare properly. While we haven't learned to prevent pandemics, our ability to treat influenza improves all the time.
Related QuestionsCan a pandemic be prevented?
Avian Flu: Frequently Asked Questions - Shenyang, ChinaThe answer is unclear. The best way to prevent a pandemic would be to eliminate the virus from birds, an unlikely scenario in the near future. As mentioned above, there are theoretical models of prophylactically utilized antivirals near the start of a pandemic to reduce the emergence of a fully transmissible virus or delay its international spread and to gain time for vaccine development.
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