Search
(of a disease) spreading rapidly and affecting many people across the world
global or widespread in geographic scope
a disease that spreads across a large region or even across the world
What is a "pandemic"?
A pandemic is a global outbreak of a disease that affects a large number of people across multiple countries or continents. Unlike an epidemic, which is limited to a specific area, a pandemic has a much broader geographic impact and can lead to widespread illness and disruption. Examples include the COVID-19 pandemic and the 1918 influenza pandemic. Controlling a pandemic typically involves working together across countries, widespread public health measures, vaccination campaigns, and efforts to reduce the spread of the disease through quarantine and hygiene practices.
