Epidemics

Epidemic: disease caused by infectious microorganisms that rapidly spreads through a

population.
20% of cancers are caused by viruses/bacteria
Pandemic: world-wide epidemic
Taxonomic groups: viruses, bacteria, helminthes, fleas, ticks, prions (misfolded proteins)
Functional groups: micro and macro parasites
Micro: replicate inside host, impact is unaffected by number, death or recovery,
simple/transient infection
Macro: replicate outside host, impact is determined by number of parasites,
sublethal/morbidity. Complex immune response complex persistent infection