The difference between epidemic & pandemic Millions infected globally, unusually high rate of infection (Does not mean millions dead.) Can begin as an epidemic and then spread worldwide. For example: a flu strain can begin locally (epidemic) but eventually spread globally (pandemic). Frequently a new virus, people have not been exposed to the virus before, their immune systems are not ready to fight it off, and more people become ill. Examples: Bubonic Plague Influenza Influenza pandemics have occurred more than once. Spanish influenza killed 40-50 million people in 1918. Asian influenza killed 2 million people in 1957. Hong Kong influenza killed 1 million people in 1968. Disease/illness shows up in more cases than would normally be expected. It spreads rapidly to many people. Confined to a particular city or region Examples: Malaria in Africa Yellow fever in southern US states in the 1800’s Cholera in Haiti..2010-2011