Pandemic vs. Epidemic

Updated July 24, 2020 | Infoplease Staff

The Question:

What is the difference between a pandemic and an epidemic?

The Answer:

An epidemic occurs when a disease affects a greater number people than is usual for the locality or one that spreads to areas not usually associated with the disease.

A pandemic is an epidemic of world-wide proportions.

Check out infoplease.com for more information about Major U.S. Epidemics.

-The Editors

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