This article describes what makes a disease endemic and how it differs from epidemic and pandemic diseases.
It also offers examples of endemic diseases and ways to prevent them.
What Does ‘Endemic’ Mean?
Verywell / Michela Buttignol
Epidemiologistsare scientists who investigate patterns and causes of disease.
One of the ways they do so is by tracking the prevalence of a disease within a region.
Endemic diseases do not have to be present at high levels.
They can also be relatively rare.
The same is true of pandemic diseases.
Many persist at relatively stable levels, while some like the flu have seasonal spikes.
Research suggests that influenza has been endemic for at least 500 years.
Today, about 8% of the U.S. population becomes sick with an influenza virus each year.
The last flu pandemic occurred in 2009 when a specific influenza viruscalledinfluenza A (H1N1)emerged.
Malaria
Malaria is endemic in many areas of Africa and Asia.
The highest prevalence is found in sub-Saharan Africa and parts of Oceania, including Papua New Guinea.
Globally, 249 million malaria cases and 608,000 malaria deaths were reported in 85 countries in 2022.
Efforts to control malaria have led to a reduction in prevalence in some countries.
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B virus (HBV)is endemic throughout the world.
Although the virus can be spread by shared needles and blood exposure, it is also oftensexually transmitted.
There is avaccineavailable to prevent hepatitis B.
If a person is planning on traveling to an area where HBV is endemic, vaccination is usually recommended.
In 2021, 1,086,806 people were living with HIV in the U.S., while 36,126 were newly diagnosed.
As a result, HIV prevalence in the United States is today the highest of all developed countries.
Preventing Illness in Endemic Phase
A disease that is endemic today doesn’t always have to be.
Such was seen with diseases likepolioandsmallpox, both of which were declared eliminated due to aggressive vaccination programs.
This has been seen from 2019 to 2024 with isolated measles outbreaks in parts of the United States.
This is why it is important to get the recommended vaccines for avoidable endemic diseases like hepatitis B.
Others include:
When traveling overseas, getting vaccinated foryellow fever, malaria, andcholeracan also help prevent infection.
This includes reducing your number of sex partners andusing condomscorrectly and consistently.
Some examples of endemic diseases are the flu, malaria, and HIV.
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