Epidemic Curve

An epidemic curve is a graph that shows how an illness spreads over time during an outbreak. It plots the number of new cases each day or week, helping to visualize when cases increase, peak, and then decline. This pattern helps health officials understand the outbreak’s progression, identify the source, and determine the effectiveness of control measures. By analyzing the curve, we can gain insights into how quickly the disease spread and when it might be subsiding, informing decisions to protect public health.