The difference between an epidemic and a pandemic revolves around the scale of disease spread. An epidemic refers to a sudden increase in disease cases within a specific geographic area, significantly above what is normally expected. In contrast, a pandemic describes a disease that spreads over multiple countries or continents, affecting a large number of people. The distinction emphasizes the extent of the outbreak and necessitates different public health responses. Both terms are crucial in understanding the scope and impact of infectious diseases on global health.