In early spring 2009, the CDC reported several dozen cases of novel H1N1 influenza (ʺswine fluʺ) in the United States. By the summer, the number of confirmed cases was reported as over 40,000. The pattern of novel H1N1 cases in the United States represents a(n) disease.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

An epidemic refers to a sudden increase in the number of cases of a disease above what is normally expected in that population in that area. The rapid rise in H1N1 cases in the U.S. in 2009 fits this definition.

In Early Spring 2009, the CDC Reported Several Dozen Cases