COVID 19 characterized as a pandemic
Multiple outbreaks expose gaps related to timely detection of diseases and preparedness. Pandemic is defined as an epidemic occurring over a very wide area, crossing international boundaries and usually affecting a large number of people.
This presentation is by Dr Tedros:
Pandemics are large-scale outbreaks of infectious disease that can greatly increase morbidity and mortality over a wide geographic area and cause significant economic, social, and political disruption.
Evidence suggests that the likelihood of pandemics has increased over the past century because of increased global travel and integration, urbanization, changes in land use, and greater exploitation of the natural environment.
These trends likely will continue and will intensify. Significant policy attention has focused on the need to identify and limit emerging outbreaks that might lead to pandemics and to expand and sustain investment to build preparedness and health capacity.
