When an infectious disease spreads rapidly to many people, it is known as an epidemic. The year 2014 marked the beginning of the West Africa Ebola epidemic, the largest in history when the World Health Organization (WHO) reported Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) cases in south eastern Guinea. If a disease outbreak occurs globally, it becomes a pandemic, which often is caused by a new virus that has not been in circulation among people for a long time and that spreads quickly from person to person. People have little to no immunity against it and it causes death in larger numbers.
Global Pandemics and Epidemics and How They Relate to You provides information about outbreaks, epidemics, and pandemics and their related threats. It discusses the major epidemics, pandemics, and notable pseudo pandemics that have threatened humankind over the years. It provides information about disease management, including various methods of detection, prevention, and treatment of several diseases. Steps taken by humankind to stay protected from any future outbreaks are provided, along with a glossary and directories of organizations.