Epidemics and Pandemics

How is the prevention of an epidemic different from the prevention of a pandemic?

• Preventing an epidemic requires the use of antibiotics, while preventing a pandemic requires the use of vaccines.

• Preventing a pandemic requires uninfected and infected people to wash their hands, while preventing an epidemic requires people to wear gloves.

• Preventing a pandemic requires vaccinating large numbers of people dispersed over a wide geographic area, while an epidemic requires vaccinating fewer people spread over a smaller area.

• Preventing an epidemic requires vaccinating large numbers of people spread over a wide geographic area, while a pandemic requires vaccinating fewer people spread over a smaller area.

Pandemics are harder to prevent than epidemics. Which best explains this?

• Pandemics are caused by viruses, while epidemics are caused by bacteria.

• Pandemic diseases do not have vaccines, while epidemic diseases have vaccines.

• Pandemics cover a large geographical area, while epidemics are specific to a given area.

• Pandemic diseases affect humans and animals, while epidemic diseases only affect humans.

Leprosy is caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium leprae. In ancient times, it spread throughout China, Egypt, India, and Western Europe. Which best describes the spread of this bacterium?

• The bacterium caused a pandemic.

• The bacterium infected people quickly.

• The bacterium caused a local epidemic infection.

• The bacterium caused mild infection, only sporadically.

The Spanish Flu of 1918 occurred during World War I and killed between 30 to 50 million people worldwide. Which best explains the spread of this virus?

• The Spanish Flu quickly became a pandemic due to the close quarters and distances traveled by troops.

• The Spanish Flu quickly became an epidemic due to the close quarters and distances traveled by troops.

• The Spanish Flu quickly became a pandemic due to the lack of antibiotics and poor hygiene of the troops.

• The Spanish Flu quickly became an epidemic due to the lack of antibiotics and poor hygiene of the troops.

Which is the difference between an epidemic and a pandemic as it relates to the spread of a disease?

• An epidemic would refer to a larger region being affected and a pandemic refers to a smaller region being affected.

• A pandemic would refer to a larger region being affected and an epidemic refers to a smaller region being affected.

• An epidemic would involve a larger number of people than a pandemic.

• A pandemic would involve a smaller number of people than an epidemic.

The 2003 SARS (sudden acute respiratory syndrome) virus was contained to about 8000 cases, mostly in Asia. Which is the best explanation for the prevention of a pandemic?

• Infected people in Asia were given massive doses of antibiotics to kill the virus and prevent it from spreading beyond Asia.

• Travel from Asia to other countries was halted for several weeks to prevent further spread of the virus beyond Asia.

• Travel from Asia to other countries was increased for several weeks to prevent the spread of the virus beyond Asia.

• Infected people were given vaccinations to kill the virus and prevent it from spreading beyond Asia.

A large number of flu cases have developed quickly in North Carolina. Health care professionals urge the population of North Carolina to receive a flu vaccine. Which explains what they were trying to achieve?

• They were trying to prevent the spread of a bacterial pandemic.

• They were trying to prevent the spread of a bacterial epidemic.

• They were trying to prevent the spread of a viral pandemic.

• They were trying to prevent the spread of a viral epidemic.

Which best explains a global outbreak that has a vaccine in development?

• It is a pandemic caused by a virus.

• It is an epidemic caused by a virus.

• It is a pandemic caused by a bacteria.

• It is an epidemic caused by a bacteria.

Which aspect of modern life could MOST likely cause an epidemic to turn into a pandemic?

• vaccination

• transportation

• communication

• sanitation

Which tool is MOST responsible for preventing future pandemics of smallpox?

• a worldwide vaccination for smallpox

• global education about smallpox

• better worldwide urban sanitation

• improved global quarantine facilities