Which term describes the spread of an infectious disease that occurs over a wide geographic area?

The term that accurately describes the spread of an infectious disease occurring over a wide geographic area is pandemic. This term specifically refers to a disease that has transcended national borders and is affecting a large number of people across multiple continents, indicating a significant level of transmission and impact on global health.

Epidemics, by contrast, are typically confined to a specific region or community, occurring when a disease has an increased incidence within that area but does not necessarily spread widely. Endemic refers to the constant presence and regular occurrence of a disease within a particular geographic area or population. An outbreak denotes a sudden increase in the number of cases of a disease within a specific area or among a specific group of people, but it does not imply the widespread impact associated with a pandemic. Therefore, pandemic is the most appropriate term for describing diseases that affect a broad, international scope.