Glossary

Anomaly – Something that deviates from what is standard, normal, or expected.

Cluster – An overdose cluster is an event that occurs when a series of overdoses occur in the same geographic area 

Endemic – Disease or condition present among a population at all times 

Epidemic – Large numbers of people over a wide geographic area affected 

Outbreak – (Localized epidemic) More cases of a particular disease than expected in a given area or among a specialized group of people over a particular period of time 

Pandemic – An epidemic occurring over a very wide area (several countries or continents) and usually affecting a large proportion of the population

Spike – A spike is when the total number of suspected overdoses for a jurisdiction exceeds a pre-determined threshold for a specified time

Sporadic – A disease that occurs infrequently and irregularly

Threshold – The number of infected individuals needed for the disease to spread in an approximately deterministic manner

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