There is a growing fear of the word “epidemic” because of movies about it. However, it is actually happening in different parts of the world. For instance, countries in Asia and Africa that recently experience diseases. Epidemic meaning is when the disease spread quickly to a group of people in a community.
1. Meaning
Epidemic meaning cannot only happen in one place because it can spread. Therefore, once it spread in other places or countries, then it will become a pandemic. It is the World Health Organization’s duty to declare its status. It is base on the number of people who got sick.
Moreover, a new illness can become an epidemic. A spread of illness can damage both health and the economy.
2. Causes
A small change in the cause of an illness can start a new one. Some of the possible causes are:
- Increase seriousness of the illness
- Change in the strength of the virus
- Health of people in the community
Moreover, an illness can become widespread, even if it cannot easily infect people. For instance, overweight is a global problem. It does not transfer from one person to another. An illness can come from different sources like dirty drinking water. Another is a large number of pests like rats and mosquitoes.
2. Types
Here are the different types of epidemics that you need to know.
- Common Source- It can start after getting in touch with it. Also, it can come from water, air, food, and the soil. Besides, pollutants can also cause illnesses.
- Propagated- It is the transfer of diseases from one person to another. Hence, the spread is not fast, and it can stop because of herd immunity.
3. Response
Many suggest the creation of a team to study illnesses in different parts of the world. Therefore, every country must create their system. It is to detect, stop, and contain an illness. Having a quick response team is important. A country can quickly send out emergency workers, especially from the local community. Also, it is the duty of the team to spread proper information to people. No matter what types of the epidemic it is, a quick response can easily stop it.
4. History of Epidemics
There are already different epidemic diseases that happened in the past. It is not the first time that the world faces a deadly disease like the novel coronavirus 2019. The following are some historical illnesses that happened in the world.
1918 Spanish Flu
Despite its name, it does not start in Spain. Doctors believe that it all begun in Kansas, USA. Its name comes from the popular person who got infected by it, King Alfonso XIII. Before, the quarantine period is within 40 days. Furthermore, during the Black Death, a ship was stopped from entering Venice for 40 days.
The flu reached Fiji Island and killed 14% of its total population in just 16 days. Additionally, it took over Okak and killed a lot of people. As a result, many animals, like dogs, are left behind. These animals became hungry and attacked houses. A survivor Rev. Andrew Asboe killed 100 dogs to protect himself.
Typhoid Fever
It was Marry Mallon, who was an Irish cook that brought it in the 1900s. She was not showing any sign, and it spread to 20 people. Mary needs to stay in the hospital for 3 years. She was free and got back to cooking. As a result, two people got sick and died. After that, Mary was ordered to stay inside the prison for life. She lived inside a cottage alone on an Island.
Black Death
It was in the 14th century when this epidemic disease hit Europe. Hence, it was brought by fleas from rats. Also, a French Doctor warns people that it can quickly spread by just looking at someone who is already ill. Also, it was during that time when dead bodies need to get rid as quickly as possible.
AIDS
The very first person who got AIDS was a flight attendant. Additionally, the person brought it to North America in 1970 up to early 80’s.
Yellow Fever
It is from the mosquito bite that affects Philadelphia in the United States. Mosquitoes grow in number during the summer and killed almost 5,000 people. It stops when the winter season comes. Also, the spread of the illnesses stops because of cold weather.
