Pandemics and Epidemics are public health terms that describe how diseases spread within populations. Although both indicate rising disease cases, the Difference between Pandemic and Epidemic lies mainly in scale, geographic reach, transmission pattern and long term impact on society.
Difference between Pandemic and Epidemic
The Difference between Pandemic and Epidemic has been tabulated here:
| Difference between Pandemic and Epidemic | ||
|
Aspect |
Epidemic |
Pandemic |
|
Definition |
Rapid rise of disease cases in a specific region or population within a short duration. |
Global spread of a new disease affecting multiple countries and continents simultaneously. |
|
Geographic Spread |
Confined to a certain country or region; example: SARS outbreak in 2003 affecting nearly 800 people worldwide. |
Crosses international borders; COVID 19 infected over 623 million people globally. |
|
Scale of Impact |
Limited to regional population clusters. |
Affects nearly all populations with minimal pre existing immunity. |
|
Nature of Disease |
Can be infectious or non infectious; diabetes and obesity are termed epidemics in the USA. |
Primarily infectious diseases with sustained human to human transmission. |
|
Speed of Spread |
Sudden and unexpected increase in cases. |
Self sustaining transmission across countries over time. |
|
Immunity Level |
The population may have partial immunity. |
The majority lack immunity against the new pathogen initially. |
|
Declaration Authority |
Recognized by national health authorities. |
Declared globally by the World Health Organization. |
|
Examples |
Sixth Cholera Pandemic regionally severe and Measles outbreaks in 2019 in specific regions. |
Black Death (1346-1350) killed about 25 million people and Spanish Flu (1918-1920) caused over 50 million deaths. |
|
Duration |
Often short term but intense. |
May last for years; AIDS pandemic ongoing since 1981. |
|
Healthcare Impact |
Stresses regional health infrastructure. |
Overwhelms global health systems and supply chains. |
Last updated on February, 2026
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Difference between Pandemic and Epidemic FAQs
Q1. What is an Epidemic Disease?+
Q2. What is a Pandemic Disease?+
Q3. Can an Epidemic Disease turn into a Pandemic Disease?+
Q4. Who declares a Pandemic Disease?+
Q5. What are the examples of Pandemic Diseases?+
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