Disease Detectives Key Terms

Endemic

disease or condition present among a population at all times 

Outbreak

(localized epidemic) more cases of a particular disease than expected in a given area or among a specialized group of people over a particular period of time. 

Epidemic

large numbers of people over a wide geographic area affected. 

Pandemic

an epidemic occurring over a very wide area (several countries or continents) and usually affecting a large proportion of the population. 

Cluster

an aggregation of cases over a particular period esp. cancer & birth defects closely grouped in time and space regardless of whether the number is more than the expected number. (often the expected number of cases is not known.) 

Sporadic

a disease that occurs infrequently and irregularly