pandemic - vocabulary

adjective, noun

Affecting a whole people, all classes, or the whole world, as a disease; general or universal, as in pandemic fear of a pandemic.

“The threat of an influenza pandemic is, at present, one of the most significant public health issues our nation and world faces."

—Dr. Andrew C. von Eschenback Commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, April 2007

"We know that a pandemic will eventually occur. We always say it's not a question of if; it's a question of when."

—Dr. Julie Gerberding Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, April 2007