Epidemics

An epidemic is defined as the occurrence of an illness or other health-related event that unusually affects a large population. An epidemic can be foreseen by a sudden increase in the number of people suffering from a particular disease and an increase in the population of a disease carrier. Following a disaster, outbreaks of communicable diseases to epidemic levels are likely. Urgent measures are essential to prevent epidemics from spreading. Example: Dengue, Cholera, Meningitis, Japanese Encephalitis, etc.

Cause:

The main cause of outbreaks of diseases is water contamination or the breeding of the disease vectors that spread the disease. In addition to seasonal changes, factors such as vectors, non-immune populations (e.g., tourists), poverty, and overcrowding can perpetuate the spreading of these diseases.

Effects: 

Mass illnesses or deaths may be caused by epidemics, and secondary

effects such as disruptions to society and economic losses may result. People living in unhygienic conditions, those with poor access to health care, and those who are poorly nourished are at higher risk of contracting the disease.

WHO creates international plans for the prevention and management of epidemic-prone diseases like  cholera, influenza, and yellow fever that are prone to outbreaks. In order to combat these infectious hazards of high danger and scale these tactics to regional and national levels, WHO collaborates with partners from a wide range of technological, scientific, and social disciplines.