An epidemic is a term used to describe a sudden increase in the number of cases of a disease beyond what is normally expected in a certain area. It's essentially about how a health condition spreads rapidly within a specific population or geographic region.
Percentage increases in disease cases beyond the expected norm could signify the start of an epidemic. In simpler terms, whenever a disease spreads quickly in a limited region, this is known as an epidemic.
- Local focus: Epidemics are generally confined to a single area, city, or community.
- Time frame: They often occur suddenly and might last for a few days, weeks, or months.
- Impact: The impact is significant but isolated to the affected area.
Understanding epidemics is crucial because prompt action can help contain and manage the disease before it spreads further.