Question

question 4
classify the three occurrences of disease as either an epidemic, pandemic or endemic disease based on their descriptions.
ebola

• caused by the ebola virus.
• a severe outbreak in 2014 led to a public health emergency.
• it began in guinea, in west africa, and spread rapidly to neighbouring countries.
• the outbreak was contained in 2016. this was thanks to international aid, improved public health measures, and community engagement.

dengue fever

• caused by the dengue virus.
• mosquitoes spread the virus. this makes it difficult to eliminate the disease.
• many tropical regions are deemed high - risk areas for dengue fever.
• regular outbreaks lead to significant public health challenges.

covid - 19

• caused by the sars - cov - 2 virus.
• in 2020, governments worldwide introduced public health measures to control the spread of the virus. this included a global mass vaccination campaign.
• covid - 19 is no longer as big a threat as it once was, but cases continue to remain high worldwide.

Explanation:

• Ebola: An epidemic is a sudden increase in the number of cases of a disease in a specific area. Ebola had a severe outbreak in 2014 that began in Guinea and spread to neighbouring countries, which fits the definition of an epidemic.
• Dengue fever: An endemic disease is constantly present in a particular region or population. Dengue fever is regularly present in many tropical regions (high - risk areas) with regular outbreaks, so it is endemic.
• COVID - 19: A pandemic is an epidemic that has spread over a large area, usually worldwide. COVID - 19 spread globally, so it is a pandemic.

Answer:

• Ebola: Epidemic
• Dengue fever: Endemic
• COVID - 19: Pandemic