INTERNATIONAL DAY OF EPIDEMIC PREPAREDNESS, 27 DECEMBER

It is observed on 27^th December. International Epidemic Preparedness Day all over the world.
Aim: Raising awareness, the exchange of information, scientific knowledge and best practices, quality education, and advocacy programmes on epidemics at the local, national, regional and global levels as effective measures to prevent and respond to epidemics.
In the absence of international attention, future epidemics could surpass previous outbreaks in terms of intensity and gravity.
History:
- The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) passed a resolution on 7^th December 2020.
  - The resolution declares 27 December as International Epidemic Preparedness Day.
- The coronavirus outbreak in China began in late 2019.
  - As the infection rate started increasing and the number of infected people started increasing, many parts of the city were sealed.
- In this context, the first International Day of Epidemic Preparedness was observed on 27^th December 2020.

What is Endemic?

A disease outbreak is endemic when it is consistently present but limited to a particular region.
This makes the disease spread and rates predictable.
- Malaria, for example, is considered endemic in certain countries and regions.

It refer to a disease or other specific health-related behavior (e.g., smoking) with rates that are clearly above the expected occurrence in a community or region.

A pandemic when a disease’s growth is exponential.
This means the growth rate skyrockets, and each day cases grow more than the day prior.
In being declared a pandemic, the virus has nothing to do with virology, population immunity, or disease severity.
- It means a virus covers a wide area, affecting several countries and populations.