Outbreak
Outbreak
Outbreak (/ˈaʊtbreɪk/), from the Old English utbrecan meaning "to break out", is a term used in epidemiology to describe the occurrence of disease cases in a population at a rate that exceeds normal expectancy.
Definition
An outbreak can be limited to one locale (a nursing home, other type of housing, a city, county, or even several countries). The term may also refer to the emergence of a new infectious disease to which people do not yet have immunity, or to an increase in the virulence of a pathogen.
Types of Outbreaks
Outbreaks can be classified into two main types: epidemic and pandemic. An epidemic refers to an outbreak that spreads rapidly and widely among a population within a short period of time. A pandemic, on the other hand, is an epidemic that has spread over a large area, that is, it's prevalent throughout an entire country, continent, or the whole world.
Outbreak Investigation
Outbreak investigation is a multi-faceted approach which includes the identification of cases, the determination of the source of the outbreak, the implementation of control measures, and the communication of findings to the public and health officials.
Related Terms
- Epidemic: A widespread occurrence of an infectious disease in a community at a particular time.
- Pandemic: An outbreak of a disease that occurs over a wide geographic area and affects an exceptionally high proportion of the population.
- Endemic: The constant presence and/or usual prevalence of a disease or infectious agent in a population within a geographic area.
- Cluster: Aggregation of cases grouped in place and time that are suspected to be greater than the number expected, even though the expected number may not be known.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Outbreak
- Wikipedia's article - Outbreak
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