What is a "pandemic"

[sun rise]

With 2019-nCoV (coronavirus) the word "pandemic" is being used as a very distinct possibility. Being ignorant of the proper definition of the word and assuming others are as well, I found this:

Scientists say the Wuhan coronavirus outbreak could soon be declared a pandemic. Here's what that means.

• The WHO defines a pandemic as "the worldwide spread of a new disease."
• A pandemic disease spreads across "several countries or continents, usually affecting a large number of people," according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
• Virus outbreaks can be characterized as a pandemic if the disease is "markedly different from recently circulating strains" and if "humans have little or no immunity" to it, according to the UK's Health and Safety Executive.
• A disease becomes a pandemic when it can infect many humans over a large area, be transferred from person to person, and cause clinical illness, the HSE said.

the WHO defines an epidemic as the "occurrence in a community or region of cases of an illness, specific health-related behavior, or other health-related events clearly in excess of normal expectancy."

In other words, a pandemic is an epidemic that spreads world wide. The coronavirus is on the edge of becoming a pandemic if the cases outside of China spike upwards.

 

[sooda]

With 2019-nCoV (coronavirus) the word "pandemic" is being used as a very distinct possibility. Being ignorant of the proper definition of the word and assuming others are as well, I found this:

Scientists say the Wuhan coronavirus outbreak could soon be declared a pandemic. Here's what that means.

• The WHO defines a pandemic as "the worldwide spread of a new disease."
• A pandemic disease spreads across "several countries or continents, usually affecting a large number of people," according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
• Virus outbreaks can be characterized as a pandemic if the disease is "markedly different from recently circulating strains" and if "humans have little or no immunity" to it, according to the UK's Health and Safety Executive.
• A disease becomes a pandemic when it can infect many humans over a large area, be transferred from person to person, and cause clinical illness, the HSE said.

the WHO defines an epidemic as the "occurrence in a community or region of cases of an illness, specific health-related behavior, or other health-related events clearly in excess of normal expectancy."

In other words, a pandemic is an epidemic that spreads world wide. The coronavirus is on the edge of becoming a pandemic if the cases outside of China spike upwards.

Its "worldwide"...………. There's a case in Atlanta..

 

[metis]

This is likely to spread the world over because one is contagious even up to three weeks before they have the symptoms. Going by the stats at this point, about 2% will likely die from this, which is significantly higher than with most flu viruses (under 1%).

 

[sun rise]

This is likely to spread the world over because one is contagious even up to three weeks before they have the symptoms. Going by the stats at this point, about 2% will likely die from this, which is significantly higher than with most flu viruses (under 1%).

We'll be extremely lucky if that does not happen. I'm not feeling lucky.