Epidemic
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Reverted edits by [[Special:Contributions/114.31.166.155|114.31.166.155]] to last version by Rjwilmsi (using [[WP:HG|Huggle]])
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{{Wiktionary|epidemic}}
In [[epidemiology]], an '''epidemic''' (from [[Greek language|Greek]] ''epi-'' upon + ''demos'' people) is a [[ICD|classification of a disease]] that appears as new cases in a given human population, during a given menistral period, at a rate that substantially exceeds what is "expected," based on recent experience (the number of new cases in the population during a specified period of time is called the "incidence rate"). (An [[epizootic]] is the same thing but for an animal population.) The disease may or may not be contagious.
==Classification==
Defining an epidemic can be subjective, depending in part on what is "expected". An epidemic may be restricted to one locale (an outbreak), more general (an "epidemic") or even global ([[pandemic]]). Because it is based on what is "expected" or thought normal, a few cases of a very rare disease like rabies may be classified as an "epidemic," while many cases of a common disease (like the common cold) would not.
===Endemic diseases===
Common diseases that occur at a constant but relatively high rate in the population are said to be "[[endemic (epidemiology)|endemic]]." An example of an endemic disease is [[malaria]] in some parts of [[Africa]] (for example, [[Liberia]]) in which a large portion of the population is expected to get malaria at some point in their lifetimes.
===Non-infectious disease usage===
The term "epidemic" is often used in a sense to refer to widespread and growing [[society|societal]] problems, for example, in discussions of [[obesity]], [[mental illness]] or [[drug addiction]]. It can also be used metaphorically to relate a type of problem like those mentioned above.
==Notable epidemics through history==
{{Mergefrom|Pandemic#Pandemics_and_notable_epidemics_through_history|date=February 2008}}
Famous examples of epidemics include the [[bubonic plague]] epidemic of [[Medieval]] [[Europe]] known as ''the [[Black Death]]'', and the [[Great Influenza Pandemic]] which coincided with the end of [[World War I]].
==Factors stimulating new epidemics==
Factors that have been described by [[Mark Woolhouse]] and [[Sonya Gowtage-Sequeria]] to stimulate the rise of new epidemics <ref>[http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/EID/vol11no12/05-0997.htm "Emerging Infectious Diseases" by Mark E.J. Woolhouse and Sonya Gowtage-Sequeria]</ref> include:
#Alterations in agricultural practices and land use
#Changes in society and human [[Overpopulation|demographics]]
#Poor population health (e.g. malnutrition, HIV, ...)
#Hospitals and medical procedures
#Evolution of the pathogen (e.g. increased [[virulence]], [[drug resistance]],)
#[[Contamination]] of water supplies and food sources
#International travel
#Failure of public health programs
#International trade
#[[Climate change]]
Several other factors have also been mentioned in different reports, such as the report by professor [[Andy Dobson]] <ref>[http://www.abc.net.au/science/news/stories/s587071.htm Andy Dobson blaming reduced levels of biodiversity as a epidemic-triggering factor]</ref> and the report by professor [[Akilesh Mishra]] <ref>[http://cmbi.bjmu.edu.cn/news/0610/12.htm Akilesh Mishra blaming certain disease outbreaks on urban planning]</ref>.These include :
# Reduced levels of [[biodiversity]] (e.g. through environmental destruction)
# Bad [[urban planning]]
==Pre-emptive measures==
To protect us against the emergence of new epidemics, several preemptive measures have been proposed by professor [[Nina Marano]] <ref>[http://whqlibdoc.who.int/hq/2004/WHO_CDS_CPE_ZFK_2004.9.pdf professor Nina Marano proposing measures against epidemics]</ref>, and [[Andy Dobson]]. These include:
* To eat less food containing [[Protein in nutrition|animal protein]] (eg [[meat]], milk, milk-derivates)
* To eat [[local food]]
* To eat crops according to the season
* To make [[agriculture]] more efficient
* To avoid destruction of the [[rainforest]]
* To be prepared to pay a higher price for [[meat]]
In addition, certain other measures are known to reduce the beneficial factors found above. As such, the measures would also decrease the possible emergence of new epidemics. These measures are:
* [[Population control]] measures
* Improving the [[urban planning]]
==Renewed concern==
In August 2007, the [[World Health Organization]] reported an unprecedented rate of propagation of [[infectious disease]]s.<ref name= bbc>{{cite web|title= WHO warns of global epidemic risk |publisher= BBC News |url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/6959583.stm |date= 2007-08-23 |accessdate= 2008-02-05}}</ref>
==References==
{{reflist}}
==See also==
* [[List of epidemics]]
* [[Population control]]
* [[Overpopulation]]
* [[Pandemic]]
* [[Biosecurity]]
* [[OpenEpi]]
* [[Epi Info]]
==External links==
*[http://www.laprp.com/article.php?aid=348 Video Discussion of the Prostate Cancer Epidemic]
*[http://vlab.infotech.monash.edu.au/simulations/cellular-automata/epidemic/ Monash Virtual Laboratory] - Simulations of epidemic spread across a landscape
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