Epidemic: the significance of the disease outbreak remains localized.
Before the Current corona crisis few people have become acquainted with the topics of Epidemic or pandemic employs. While the annual flu epidemic or a measles outbreak are always the focus of news coverage or public debate. The fact that under certain circumstances can be about epidemics, but hardly anyone has on their radar. What does "epidemic" actually mean? and what is the importance of such in relation to the everyday life?
The following guidebook deals with these questions in more detail and also looks at what can be achieved with a good horse management Epidemic the difference from a pandemic makes up. Epidemic persist. Whether there is an epidemic law.
FAQ: Epidemic
An epidemic is usually understood as a regionally limited increased occurrence of a disease in a certain number of the population. In Germany, such an outbreak must be reported to the public health department as part of infection control measures.
While an epidemic is regionally limited, a pandemic usually affects several countries or. Continents. Typically, a pandemic is a worldwide event that affects a large number of people. An epidemic can be caused by a wide variety of triggers. Is not limited to infectious diseases. For example, you can find out which diseases can cause an epidemic here.
What is an epidemic? A definition
Epidemic: An explanation for an outbreak can be viruses.
The Word epidemic originates the ancient Greek. "Epi" means something like "on, at, in addition to". "Demie" is derived from "demos," which translates as "people". In the Principle it describes thus something that occurs among the people and spread to refers to a disease event. As a rule, the term is applied when many people in one place or in a region to an certain time at the same disease fall ill.
In general, people use the term for an Outbreak of infectious diseases and colloquially, this definition has also become established for epidemics. However, this is not quite right. For all diseases have the potential, becomes an epidemic. Thus, both bacteria as well as viruses possible triggers, but also a food poisoningg that affects many people can be considered an epidemic.
The Epidemiology as a scientific discipline deals with both the causes and the Consequences of a disease outbreak population. In general, epidemiologists consider a disease incidence in a region in a certain period of time. If the number of cases of illness increases in this at a certain rate, they ame an epidemic. In Germany, usually already spoken of an epidemic, if in a region ten to twenty percent of the population are ill.
What does an epidemic mean in legal terms?
To deal with epidemics or pandemics prevent or fight to become an epidemic, the Legislators have various options created. The most important legal basis for a precaution or. for necessary measures is governed by the Infection Protection Act (IfSG)). a nationwide Epidemic law does not exist in Germany. The Infection Protection Act forms the basis for the procedure in the event of an epidemiological event. Already in § 1 IfSG is defined, what the task of the law is:
(1) The purpose of the Act is to prevent communicable diseases in humans, to detect infections early and to prevent their further spread.
(2) The necessary cooperation and collaboration of federal, state and local authorities, physicians, veterinarians, hospitals, scientific institutions as well as other stakeholders shall be designed and supported according to the respective state of the art of medical and epidemiological science and technology.
In the case of an epidemic, the public health department can order measures such as mandatory masking.
In Within the scope of the regulations contained here shall an epidemic be prevented by precautionary measures or by appropriate measures contained become. Common Steps towards preparedness include, for example, the Obligation to report certain diseases respectively. outbreaks, Imulations, hygiene regulations for a wide variety of occupational fields or also Behavioral recommendations at times when an epidemic is likely to occur. For example, the latter can be reference to a sneezing etiquette or to the more frequent hand washing while influenza waves include. Also the Establishment of a pandemic plan is one of these steps.
More drastic measures, from the authorities such as the health department or through Legal regulations of the federal states can occur next to a quarantine arrangement also the closure of facilities or the Imposing a ban on contact include. Legally regulated are such measures outside the legal ordinances among others in § 16 resp. § 28 IfSG.
A Disregard of the conditions or regulations may vary depending on the federal state and Severity of the breach varying fines or further sanctions bring with it. Whoever negligently or intentionally contributes to the spread of a contagious disease or. prevents the containment of an epidemic, must be face fines or imprisonment.
Epidemic or pandemic: What is the difference?? Epidemic. A pandemic. It is generally amed that epidemiological events out, which is applicable to both forms of spreading. Is a disease outbreak regionally limited, it concerns a local epidemic. This also means that the largest Difference to a pandemic named. In this case, the disease event no longer occurs on a regional basis, but is observed worldwide.
Protection against an epidemic: Vaccinations, among other things, can serve as a precautionary measure.
The Corona crisis is the most recent example for such a pandemic. The infection triggered by a virus first spreads in steps across continents and then worldwide from. The exact point at which a pandemic is considered to have occurred depends, among other things, on the Speed of spread and the Number of people affected from.
A pandemic is defined as an very many people are affected. The further spread of a dangerous pathogen or toxin can, as previously described, also be caused by special measures prevented or contained will.
Epidemic: Which diseases can trigger one?
As already mentioned, an epidemic not only to infectious diseases restricted. As a rule, however, they are triggered by these. It is rather rare that poisoning or environmental influences lead to such an outbreak, but this is not improbable.
Usually however, the pathogens responsible for the outbreak are responsible for an epileptic. Through droplet transmission or by an Transmission by air these can often spread relatively quickly through the population. Depending on the level of infection this happens at different speeds.