A pandemic occurs when a disease spreads widely around the world, affecting a large portion of the human population. Pandemics are distinct from endemic diseases, which occur continuously in a local or regional population. They are also different from pandemics caused by bioterrorism or other biological events.
In order to be classified as a pandemic, a new virus must have spread to enough people in the world to cause a serious outbreak that disrupts life. The new virus must also have surpassed the normal range of occurrence for the disease, and it must be spreading quickly from person to person. The virus must also be causing severe illness, and the death rate must be high.
During the pandemic, everyone will need to be careful not to catch or transmit the disease. This means staying home, avoiding crowds and traveling only when necessary, using ride-hailing and taxi services rather than public transportation, and making sure you have supplies (such as non-perishable foods, medical items, cleaning products and water). You should also keep your family informed about the situation.
Throughout history, there have been 22 pandemics, caused by smallpox (Antonine Plague and American Plague), plague (Black Death and the Antonine Plague), cholera (the cholera pandemic of 1848-51 and more recently cholera in Haiti), influenza viruses (Russian Flu, Spanish Flu and Asian Influenza) and AIDS. These have all had a major impact on society, resulting in significant economic loss and social disruption.