Difference between an Endemic and an Epidemic Disease

By: | Updated: May-14, 2023
The contents of the Difference.guru website, such as text, graphics, images, and other material contained on this site (“Content”) are for informational purposes only. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical or legal advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions you may have regarding your medical condition. Never disregard professional advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website!

People use these terms loosely when talking about diseases that affect and have affected humans and all living things. There are different parameters to consider to correctly determine when if a disease is either endemic or epidemic.

Summary Table

Endemic disease Epidemic disease
Disease is prevalent in a certain region or population Affects a significant amount of people in a short span of time
Rate of infection is relatively the same Rate of infection increases year after year
Malaria, tuberculosis, chicken pox Smallpox, H1N1, the Black Plague,

Definitions

Chicken pox, an endemic disease
Chicken pox, an endemic disease, appearing on a skin surface

An endemic infection refers to an infection that is contained and habitually present in a given population. Such infections can remain active for a long time. For instance, dengue, a life-threatening disease, is spread by a specific type of mosquito and is endemic in over 100 countries. The term endemic is derived from the Greek words en which means “within” and demos which means “people.”

In endemic diseases, the illness does not die out and the number of those inflicted does not increase exponentially. However, the disease remains in what is called an “endemic steady state.”

Its common to think that AIDS is an endemic infection in Africa. However, it is important to understand that AIDS cases are continually increasing, which does not agree with the definition of an endemic disease. Chicken pox occurs in the US in a predictable cycle, which affects schoolchildren all over the country. The disease is known to spread primarily through human contact, while commonly known carriers are mosquitoes, fleas, lice, and ticks.

tick
A tick that causes Lyme disease, which already considered an epidemic

An epidemic is the fast spread of infectious diseases to a large population within a short span of time which is usually 14 days or less. Meningococcal infections (e.g. meningitis, sepsis) have an attack rate of 15 cases per 100,000 individuals and is considered an epidemic disease.

There are several factors that can bring about epidemics. These includes the ecological change of the host population. This would mean an increased stress or an increased density of the vector (i.e. carrier) species. A mutated pathogen or the entry of a new pathogen to the population can also cause a sharp rise in the rate of affliction.

An epidemic is sometimes restricted to one area; however, it may spread to other countries or regions and infect a significant amount of people. When this happens the disease has become pandemic. There are some cases where a few diseases are considered rare but are classified as epidemic. Epidemic diseases are generally difficult to contain and eventually stop. Smallpox, the Black Plague, and influenza are examples of epidemic diseases that have once caused many deaths in different regions of the world.

An epidemic does not have to be contagious. The term applies to the obesity epidemic and the West Nile fever, a mosquito-borne disease characterized by little or no symptoms.

Endemic vs Epidemic Disease

So what’s the difference between an endemic and an epidemic disease? An endemic disease is a type of disease which is prevalent in a particular geographical area or population. In contrast, a disease is epidemic when it affects a significant portion of the population over a large area and in a short span of time. An epidemic is also called an “outbreak.” Chicken pox, tuberculosis, and malaria are examples of endemic diseases, whereas influenza, SARS, and the Black Plague are epidemic diseases that have claimed many lives.

Video

Here’s a YouTube video that defines epidemic, endemic, and pandemic diseases.

(Visited 283 times, 1 visits today)
Did this article help you?
Thank you!
Thank you!
What was wrong?