wabah

Wabah is a noun in Indonesian and Malay that refers to an outbreak or epidemic of disease affecting a community or region. It denotes a sudden rise in the number of illness cases beyond what is normally expected, often requiring public health attention.

Etymology and usage: The term is rooted in Malay and Indonesian vocabulary and is commonly linked to concepts of pestilence. In contemporary usage, wabah appears in medical reports, government health briefings, news coverage, and public communications to describe ongoing outbreak situations.

Public health context: When a wabah is identified, authorities conduct surveillance, confirm diagnoses, trace transmission, and implement control measures. Responses may include case management, vaccination campaigns, vector control, sanitation improvements, travel advisories, and risk communication aimed at reducing spread.

Historical and contemporary examples: Southeast Asia has experienced wabah outbreaks of diseases such as malaria, dengue, and cholera, as well as newer outbreaks of influenza and coronavirus infections. The term is widely used in official statements and media reporting to indicate the scale and scope of the event.

See also: Epidemic, Epidemiology, Public health.