CDC defines influenza as an epidemic disease. Even though it has been around for ages, and is never truly gone from the earth, it comes and goes in waves. COVID-19 will likely be similar.
Endemic illness stays at a constant level roughly.
cdc.gov/flu/about/inde…
I don’t think you can just decide to call something endemic at an arbitrary point in time… it has to show some characteristics of steady rate of disease.
I hope we don’t chose to allow COVID-19 to be at very high endemic levels, or have large epidemics. Would be better if it was sporadic outbreaks. Much safer.
In fact, even at high “endemic” levels there is evidence of epidemic outbreaks of different strains emerging and outcompeting each other…
Things endemic doesn’t mean…
Mild.
Everything will be alright.
You can’t control it.
Back to normal.
Malaria is an endemic disease.
There is an elimination program to control it.
Endemic does not mean “Do not eliminate.
who.int/teams/global-m…
“This vision will be achieved progressively by countries eliminating malaria from their territories and implementing effective measures to prevent re-establishment of transmission.”
Sound familiar?
End TB strategy.
Endemic to many parts of the world, according to WHO, TB should be eliminated.
who.int/teams/global-t…
Some thoughts on chicken pox, also endemic to many parts of the world, possibly slated for elimination.
medicalnewstoday.com/articles/23167…
Each of these diseases is different, and needs different strategies.
TB is airborne slow, latent, hidden, has animal reservoirs. Vaccine partially effective.
Malaria, insect borne but no animal reservoir.
Chicken pox, airborne but vaccine susceptible.
We have not let “endemic” get in the way of planning disease control before, and despite difficulties, infectious disease specialists haven’t thrown the towel in before.
The word endemic has been used inappropriately to mean the public should stop harassing the government.
COVID-19 is still an epidemic disease in most countries.
It is a serious multi system disease, and requires control.
Declaring it “endemic” makes absolutely no difference to that.
If your government or medical officer is telling you that your country/region has endemic SARS… just say “Yes, and what is the plan to control it?”
Because that’s the normal response to a serious endemic disease.
I am so glad that I am not the only one that can see this.
Endemic COVID-19 is a mess.
Just because a disease is endemic, does not mean you can forget about controlling it. It will mess up the economy whether you like it or not.
#TargetingZero🦠
#EndemicCOVID19 will eat your healthcare system and spit out the pips.
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