What does 'endemic' mean in relation to a disease?

The term 'endemic' refers to a disease that is regularly found and consistently present within a specific geographic area or population. This means that the disease is not a sudden outbreak but rather something that is expected and established within that region. When a disease is described as endemic, it indicates that it is maintained at a relatively stable rate within that community, rather than being sporadic or occurring in widespread outbreaks.

Understanding 'endemic' in this context clarifies its significance in public health monitoring and response, as well as how it contrasts with terms like 'epidemic' or 'pandemic,' which refer to diseases that are more widespread or affect larger populations beyond their usual distribution.