Pandemic

A pandemic is an outbreak of a disease that occurs over a wide geographic area, often affecting multiple countries or continents, and typically involves a new infectious agent to which the majority of the population has little or no immunity. Pandemics can lead to widespread illness, significant morbidity and mortality, and can overwhelm healthcare systems. The term is most commonly used in the context of infectious diseases, such as influenza or COVID-19, to describe situations where the disease spreads rapidly and widely among people. To be classified as a pandemic, the disease must not only be prevalent across regions but also demonstrate sustained human-to-human transmission.