What is a pandemic?
The Covid-19 outbreak was on Wednesday declared a pandemic by world health bosses.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) have said that the coronavirus outbreak can be classed as a pandemic.
But what does it mean?
– What is a pandemic?
A pandemic is the worldwide spread of a new disease.
– Why is it now classed as one?
The classification comes as WHO announced that there are more than 118,000 cases across 114 countries. So far 4,291 people have lost their lives.
– When was the last one?
This is the first coronavirus to cause a pandemic.
In recent history coronaviruses which had pandemic potential were Serious Acute Respiratory Syndrome (Sars) in 2002/03, and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (Mers) in 2012.
– Does it make a difference in what is being done?
WHO said the assessment “It doesn’t change what WHO is doing, and it doesn’t change what countries should do.”
– What has WHO suggested?
The global health body said that it was “deeply concerned by the alarming levels of inaction”, as it called for countries to take “urgent and aggressive action”.
– What does this mean for the UK?
The UK has already set out it’s battle plan to fight coronavirus which includes four main steps: to contain the disease; delay its onset; conduct research and mitigate its effects should transmission of the virus become established in the UK.
The classification of a pandemic will not change the current approach but the plan is under constant review.
– What have the experts said?
Dr Michael Head, senior research fellow in global health at the University of Southampton, said: “The characterisation of the situation as a pandemic may mean that we see countries feel incentivised to implement further larger interventions, such as banning of public gatherings, sooner than would they were otherwise planning to.”
– What can I do?
The new classification does not change guidance for what people can do to avoid catching or spreading coronavirus.
Here are the current steps advised by the government for the general public: Maintain good hand hygiene, wash your hands with soap and water often for at least 20 seconds.
