Corona Virus Covid-19 Declared as a Pandemic, So What is the Difference with Epidemics and Outbreaks?

Kapanlagi.com - It all started when corona virus infected the city of Wuhan, China in late December. Until now, the corona virus continues to haunt in several countries around the world. Specifically on March 11, 2020, WHO has officially declared that the corona virus or covid-19 has reached pandemic level.

However, many people still do not know the difference between pandemics, epidemics, and outbreaks. In short, outbreaks can be defined as small but have a big impact, epidemics are larger and spread, while pandemics are international and out of control.

Here Kapanlagi.com quotes from several sources to discuss more comprehensively the definitions of pandemics, epidemics, and outbreaks.

1. Epidemic

Definition of Epidemic (credit: freepik)

Epidemic is a common term used to describe the occurrence of a widespread disease in a large area and among many people. Epidemics are small in scale, but the impact they have is extraordinary. In this case, the epidemic is still considered small compared to the anticipated normal number.

Initially, the corona virus was categorized as an epidemic. This can happen because the virus only attacks a few people in a certain area, and then the virus spreads to several people at once. Therefore, covid-19 became an epidemic in that area.

Examples of epidemics that have occurred include smallpox, dysentery, and cholera outbreaks. A disease is considered an epidemic if it has not infected the community for a long time, a new disease that was previously unknown emerges, or a disease that infects the community for the first time in a certain area.

2. Epidemi

Understanding Epidemiology (credit: freepik)

Epidemi is a rapidly spreading contagious disease in a large area that causes many victims. In other words, it is a disease that does not consistently infect a particular area. This epidemic spreads in a broader geographical area.

Quoting from the Verywell page, epidemiology means an unexpected increase in the number of diseases above normal. Epidemiology is also used to describe any problem that has grown out of control.

3. Pandemic

Understanding Pandemic (credit: freepik)

The term pandemic, according to KBBI, is defined as a widespread epidemic that occurs simultaneously everywhere and in a wide geographic area. Diseases that fall into the pandemic category are contagious and have a continuous infection line.

The WHO has phases that may provide an overview of the COVID-19 pandemic. Some phases or stages in which a disease can be declared a pandemic include:

-Phase 1

In this phase, no virus circulating among animals can cause infection in humans.

-Phase 2

Phase 2 is characterized by the presence of a virus circulating among animals known to cause infection in humans, thus considered a potential pandemic threat.

-Phase 3

In phase 3, the virus caused by animals or animal-human causes some cases to infect a small group of people. However, it is not enough to declare it as an epidemic in society. Human-to-human transmission is still limited.

-Phase 4

In this phase, the transmission of the virus from human to human or from animal to human increases, causing an outbreak. This also indicates a significant increase in pandemic risk.

-Phase 5

In this phase, the spread of the virus from human to human has occurred in at least two countries in one WHO region. Most countries will not be affected at this stage, but it is a strong signal that a pandemic is imminent and the implementation of planned mitigation measures is becoming shorter.

-Phase 6

Phase 6 is characterized by the outbreak spreading to various countries in the region. This phase also indicates that a global pandemic is ongoing.

In this case, the duration of a phase varies. Some last for months, while others can last for years. In some cases, not all phases reach phase 6, as it may decrease before reaching phase 6.

4. Important Things to Do During an Outbreak, Epidemic, and Pandemic

Things to do during an outbreak, epidemic, and pandemic (credit: freepik)

Anticipation is an important step or action that must be taken during an outbreak, epidemic, or pandemic. As in the case of the spread of the coronavirus, various countries have implemented social distancing, which means keeping a distance of at least 1 meter from others. In social distancing, it is also not recommended for people to engage in activities outside the home and they are required to self-quarantine.

Another benefit of social distancing is to reduce the number of patients infected with the coronavirus or COVID-19, so that it can be well controlled and break the chain to prevent further victims.

It is possible that some areas have implemented lockdown measures to reduce the spread of the coronavirus.

(kpl/dtm/gen)