Epidemic vs. Plague — What's the Difference?

A widespread occurrence of an infectious disease in a community.

An infectious disease caused by Yersinia pestis.

An increase in cases of a particular illness above normal levels.

A deadly infectious disease causing high mortality rates.

Any sudden, widespread phenomenon.

A highly infectious epidemic disease, especially one with a high rate of fatality; a pestilence.

An epidemic (from Greek ἐπί epi "upon or above" and δῆμος demos "people") is the rapid spread of disease to a large number of people in a given population within a short period of time. For example, in meningococcal infections, an attack rate in excess of 15 cases per 100,000 people for two consecutive weeks is considered an epidemic.Epidemics of infectious disease are generally caused by several factors including a change in the ecology of the host population (e.g., increased stress or increase in the density of a vector species), a genetic change in the pathogen reservoir or the introduction of an emerging pathogen to a host population (by movement of pathogen or host).

A virulent, infectious disease that is caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis (syn. Pasteurella pestis) and is transmitted primarily by the bite of fleas from an infected rodent, especially a rat. In humans it occurs in bubonic form, marked by lymph node enlargement, and in pneumonic form, marked by infection of the lungs, and can progress to septicemia.

A widespread occurrence of an infectious disease in a community at a particular time

A widespread affliction or calamity seen as divine retribution.

Of the nature of an epidemic

An influx or large number of destructive or unwanted things, especially animals

Spreading rapidly and extensively by infection and affecting many individuals in an area or a population at the same time

Something that causes persistent hardship, trouble, or annoyance

Widely prevalent

To pester or annoy persistently or incessantly.

An outbreak of a contagious disease that spreads rapidly and widely.

To cause suffering or hardship for

A rapid spread, growth, or development

To be a widespread or continuous problem or defect in

A widespread disease that affects many individuals in a population.

(often used with the, sometimes capitalized: the Plague) The bubonic plague, the pestilent disease caused by the virulent bacterium Yersinia pestis.

(epidemiology) An occurrence of a disease or disorder in a population at a frequency higher than that expected in a given time period; an episode of outbreak and subsequent high prevalence.

(pathology) An epidemic or pandemic caused by any pestilence, but specifically by the above disease.

(figurative) The spreading of an idea or belief amongst a population.

A widespread affliction, calamity or destructive influx, especially when seen as divine retribution.

Like or having to do with an epidemic; widespread.

(figurative) A grave nuisance, whatever greatly irritates.

Common to, or affecting at the same time, a large number in a community; - applied to a disease which, spreading widely, attacks many persons at the same time; as, an epidemic disease; an epidemic catarrh, fever, etc. See Endemic.

(ornithology) A group of common grackles.

Spreading widely, or generally prevailing; affecting great numbers, as an epidemic does; as, epidemic rage; an epidemic evil.

(transitive) To harass, pester or annoy someone persistently or incessantly.

An epidemic disease.

(transitive) To afflict with a disease or other calamity.

Anything which takes possession of the minds of people as an epidemic does of their bodies; as, an epidemic of terror.

That which smites, wounds, or troubles; a blow; a calamity; any afflictive evil or torment; a great trail or vexation.

A widespread outbreak of an infectious disease; many people are infected at the same time

An acute malignant contagious fever, that often prevails in Egypt, Syria, and Turkey, and has at times visited the large cities of Europe with frightful mortality; hence, any pestilence; as, the great London plague.

(especially of medicine) of disease or anything resembling a disease; attacking or affecting many individuals in a community or a population simultaneously;

To infest or afflict with disease, calamity, or natural evil of any kind.

Fig.: To vex; to tease; to harass.

A serious (sometimes fatal) infection of rodents caused by Yersinia pestis and accidentally transmitted to humans by the bite of an infected rat flea (especially bubonic plague)

Any epidemic disease with a high death rate

A swarm of insects that attack plants;

Any large scale calamity (especially when thought to be sent by God)

An annoyance;

Cause to suffer a blight;

No, epidemics include various diseases that may not have the devastating impact of a plague.

An example is the COVID-19 pandemic, which began as a regional epidemic.

It can be controlled through quarantine, vaccination, public health measures, and treatment.

They can be both, but viral diseases, like COVID-19 or influenza, are more common due to their rapid spread.

While "plague" often refers specifically to infections caused by Yersinia pestis, other types of destructive outbreaks can be colloquially referred to as plagues.

Historically, medical knowledge was limited, and there were no antibiotics or vaccines, making it challenging to diagnose or treat plagues effectively.

Measures like quarantine, isolation, and rudimentary sanitation practices were used, though often with limited success due to a lack of medical understanding.

Yes, although rare, the plague still exists but is treatable with antibiotics.

Yes, plagues historically caused epidemic and pandemic outbreaks.

An epidemic is confined to a specific region or population, while a pandemic spreads globally, affecting multiple countries and continents.

Although primarily infectious, the term can also refer to non-infectious public health crises, like obesity or substance abuse epidemics.

Yes, vaccines can be effective in preventing many infectious diseases from reaching epidemic levels.

Yes, Bubonic plague affects the lymph nodes, while other forms, such as pneumonic or septicemic plague, impact the lungs or bloodstream.

Surveillance helps detect early cases, assess disease spread, and guide public health interventions to contain the epidemic.

Plagues often arose in areas with dense populations, poor sanitation, and high rat populations, as rats were primary carriers of fleas that transmitted Yersinia pestis.