An epidemic is a phenomenon characterized by the occurrence of cases of a specific disease, infection, or health-related event in a population, community, or region at levels significantly exceeding the expected baseline during a defined time period. It reflects a dynamic imbalance between pathogen transmission, host susceptibility, and environmental or social determinants. Epidemics are described mathematically using measures such as the basic and effective reproduction numbers (R₀, Rₑ), incidence rates, and epidemic curves, and are driven by mechanisms including person-to-person transmission, vector-borne spread, or common-source exposure, often necessitating targeted public health interventions for containment and mitigation.
Fungal infections are on the rise globally. According to a study by the Manchester Fungal Infection Group, in 2022, approximately 6.5 million people were infected by a pathogenic fungus, and about 3.8 million died as a result—nearly ...
Bio & Medicine
Mar 26, 2025
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Aging populations and the tendency to lead a more sedentary lifestyle in many parts of the world are thought to dramatically increase the number of people living with multiple chronic conditions. Moreover, climate change, ...
Bio & Medicine
Feb 8, 2024
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Recurring influenza epidemics, such as the one during World War I, the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) outbreak in the 2010s, and the COVID-19 pandemic in recent years have made it evident that contagious ...
Bio & Medicine
Nov 7, 2023
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Newly emerging and recurrent cases of viral infections constitute a significant problem and a huge challenge to public health. Most countries prevent or control acute viral infections through widespread vaccination and improved ...
Bio & Medicine
Sep 20, 2023
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When Srikanth Singamaneni and Guy Genin, both professors of mechanical engineering and materials science at the McKelvey School of Engineering at Washington University in St. Louis, established a new collaboration with researchers ...
Bio & Medicine
Feb 9, 2023
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According to experts, bringing an end to the pandemic will require rapid screening of people attending large gatherings, such as conferences and weddings. Even those who are asymptomatic can still transmit COVID-19 to others, ...
Bio & Medicine
Feb 2, 2022
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