pandemic

An outbreak that crosses populations and geographical boundaries, generally occurring in regions around the world. Although severity, length of outbreak, or number of people affected are not a factor in declaring pandemics, the widespread nature is. This can cause large-scale socioeconomic disruption.

An epidemic can progress into a pandemic. Similarly, a disease that is a pandemic can become endemic. For example, AIDS was first reported June 5, 1981. However, it was more than a decade before it was recognized as a leading cause of death globally despite being pandemic for much of that time. As treatments and preventative medications have developed, AIDS is an epidemic still in some regions of the world, but endemic in others.

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