superspreader
Epidemic's main engine
A superspreader is a person who infects an unusually large number of others with a contagious disease—far more than the typical patient.
The term gained wide use during COVID-19 but applies to any outbreak where certain individuals drive transmission disproportionately.
By extension, superspreader describes events where mass transmission occurs: The wedding became a superspreader event.
WHO-named 2019 coronavirus
- coronavirusSpike-ringed viral family
- outbreakSudden eruption of trouble
- quarantineIsolation preventing disease transmission
- lockdownEnforced restriction on movement
social distancing · contact tracing · cluster · public health · flatten the curve · herd immunity · mask mandate · isolation
One that transports
- patient zeroFirst documented infection
- hostOne receiving guests
- transmitterSignal-emitting device
- asymptomatic carrierInfected person without symptoms
shedder · infector · contact · propagator · viral load
Traveling through air
- dropletTiny liquid sphere
- aerosolMist in gas
- viral loadPathogen count in body
- ventilationCirculation of fresh air
close contact · respiratory · shedding · incubation · R-number · reproduction rate · contact tracing · secondary infections
Collection of people meeting
- weddingMarriage rite and feast
- funeralService honoring the dead
- concertLive musical performance
- conferenceOrganized meeting for discussion
convention · rally · party · festival · cruise · choir practice · nightclub · bar
COVID-19
WHO-named 2019 coronavirus
- coronavirusSpike-ringed viral family
- outbreakSudden eruption of trouble
- quarantineIsolation preventing disease transmission
lockdown · social distancing · contact tracing · cluster · public health · flatten the curve · herd immunity · mask mandate · isolation · mitigation
carrier
One that transports
- patient zeroFirst documented infection
- hostOne receiving guests
- transmitterSignal-emitting device
asymptomatic carrier · shedder · infector · contact · propagator · viral load
airborne
Traveling through air
- dropletTiny liquid sphere
- aerosolMist in gas
- viral loadPathogen count in body
close contact · ventilation · respiratory · shedding · incubation · R-number · reproduction rate · contact tracing · secondary infections · attack rate
gathering
Collection of people meeting
conference · convention · rally · party · festival · cruise · choir practice · nightclub · bar · religious service
- pandemiclockdowns, COVID-19, outbreak, epidemic, COVID
- contagioncontagion, outbreak, epidemic, pandemic, transmission
- infectious diseasescholera, anthrax, malaria, measles, flu
- epidemicsepidemic, pandemic, outbreak, disease, Black Death
- health crisespandemic, epidemic, outbreak, health emergency, public health emergency
- viral diseasesinfluenza, measles, mumps, rubella, smallpox