In epidemiology, an epidemic (from επί, meaning "upon or above" and δήμος, meaning "people") occurs when new cases of a certain disease, in a given human population, and during a given period, substantially exceed what is expected based on recent experience. Epidemiologists often consider the term outbreak to be synonymous to epidemic, but the general public typically perceives outbreaks to be more local and less serious than epidemics.
All stories in Epidemic
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Here’s where scientists think the next epidemic is most likely to start
Viruses jumping from animals to humans have been the starting point of numerous outbreaks, from Ebola to Zika. Given the ...
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The original SARS virus disappeared – here's why coronavirus won’t do the same
British cancer doctor Prof Karol Sikora recently claimed that the current COVID-19 pandemic would “burn itself out”. ...
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Small errors in coronavirus testing might lead to surprisingly big problems
New antibody tests might be game-changers in keeping the public safe from infection while restarting the economy. Giving ...
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Scammers are using fake coronavirus stimulus payment sites to steal your money
Last month, the US Congress passed a historic $2 trillion stimulus package to help Americans fight the devastating economical ...
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How math logic could test more people for coronavirus with fewer resources
Rapid testing of patients is of great importance during a pandemic. But at a time when there aren’t enough COVID-19 tests ...
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What will we do when diseases reach space?
In an effort to mitigate damage from COVID-19 here on Earth, people worldwide are practicing social distancing, attempting ...
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Virologists say warmer weather will unlikely be the end of COVID-19
As the coronavirus death toll continues to rise, some have suggested that the approaching warmer spring weather in the northern ...
