Pronunciation: [ˈa͡ʊtbɹe͡ɪks] (IPA) 
The word "outbreaks" is pronounced /ˈaʊtˌbreɪks/ and is spelled with an "out" at the beginning and a "ks" at the end. The "ou" in "out" is pronounced like the sound in "ouch" and the "t" in "out" is silent. The "bre" in "break" sounds like "bray" and the "ks" at the end is pronounced like "ks". "Outbreaks" is commonly used to refer to occurrences of disease or illness spreading rapidly and widely among a population.
Outbreaks refer to sudden and widespread occurrences of a particular disease, condition, or event, typically affecting a large number of people, animals, or plants within a specific geographical area or population. They are characterized by an abrupt increase in the number of cases or incidents in a relatively short period of time.
In the context of infectious diseases, outbreaks occur when the transmission of a pathogen exceeds normal levels, resulting in an elevated number of individuals acquiring the illness within a given population. Outbreaks can be caused by various factors, including the introduction of a new infectious agent, changes in the environment, inadequate vaccination coverage, or the emergence of a drug-resistant strain. They can occur in specific settings such as hospitals or schools, or in larger community-wide or even global settings.
Outbreaks can have significant public health implications, requiring swift and coordinated responses from authorities to control their spread and mitigate their effects. Such responses may involve measures like rapid disease surveillance, contact tracing, quarantine or isolation protocols, public education campaigns, and the deployment of medical resources. Effective outbreak management often involves collaboration between local, national, and international health organizations and agencies.
Understanding the characteristics and dynamics of outbreaks is crucial in identifying their causes, predicting their impact, and developing strategies to prevent or control future occurrences. Epidemiological investigations and research are vital components in shaping the response to outbreaks and minimizing their impact on public health.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "outbreak" originated from the combination of two words: "out" and "break".
The term "out" refers to moving away or being located at a distance from a particular place or thing. In this context, it signifies something occurring beyond or outside of a defined area or containment.
The word "break" has several meanings, but in the case of "outbreak", it is used in the sense of sudden or violent interruption, release, or manifestation. It suggests a breach or disruption in the normal state or condition.
When combined, "outbreak" implies the occurrence or sudden appearance of something, typically disease or violence, happening outside of its usual or normal location. It is often used to describe the rapid spread or increase of a disease, epidemic, or other similar phenomena.
