Global outbreaks of a new or not previously identified virus are called

• A. Endemic
• B. Pandemic
• C. Epidemic
• D. Sporadic

Answer: (B)

Global outbreaks of a virus that is new to humans or previously unidentified are categorized as a pandemic. The defining feature is widespread, international spread with transmission across many countries or continents, typically affecting a large portion of the population because immunity is low or absent. In contrast, endemic describes a disease that is regularly found at predictable levels in a specific place, epidemic refers to a surge of cases in a particular region or community, and sporadic means isolated, infrequent cases without sustained transmission. So a novel virus spreading worldwide fits the definition of a pandemic.