Epidemics and pandemics

Easily spread contagious diseases can pose a health threat to a large number of people.

An epidemic is a situation in which an infectious disease is found in a higher number of people than expected at a certain time and in a certain place. For example, an epidemic may be caused by respiratory viruses, such as influenza, or food poisoning bacteria. The severity of epidemics varies depending on aspects such as the severity and transmissibility of the diseases.

A pandemic is a situation in which an epidemic spreads geographically over a large area, for example across continents. Particularly new or mutated pathogens, against which humans have little immunity, may spread into a pandemic. Previous pandemics have been caused by, for example, the coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) and swine flu (H1N1).

Read more:

• The transmission of infections, the emergence and spread of diseases (in Finnish) - Terveyskirjasto Opens in a new window.
• Infectious diseases - Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare Opens in a new window.

Each pandemic situation is unique and requires appropriate measures.

To prepare for a serious health threat, it is a good idea to know how it could affect your everyday life:

• The actions needed to manage the situation and protect human health may change your everyday life.
• The spread of the disease and falling ill have a direct impact on human health and safety.
• Backlogs in society’s functions or disruptions in services affect people’s lives. A pandemic burdens healthcare and makes decision-making more difficult.

The authorities will tell you if you need to take special measures due to the threatening disease situation.

Advice on pandemics:

• Get reliable information from authorities and healthcare. There may be a lot of disinformation going around during a crisis.
• Follow the instructions given by the authorities.
• Maintain your mental wellbeing and coping.
• Help others with their everyday help needs. By helping and supporting loved ones, you can contribute to alleviating the strain on social services.

The best way to prevent the spread of infectious diseases and people falling ill is by ensuring good hygiene and vaccinations.

• Take care of hand hygiene and follow other hygiene instructions given.
• Make sure you are protected by vaccinations.
• Take care of food safety and hygiene when cooking.

Read more:

• Information about preventing food poisoning (in Finnish and Swedish) - Finnish Food Authority Opens in a new window.
• Instructions on infectious diseases and vaccinations (in Finnish and Swedish) - Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare Opens in a new window.