superspreaders
Highly contagious carriers
Superspreaders are individuals who transmit an infectious disease to an unusually large number of others, far exceeding the average case.
The term gained wide currency during the COVID-19 pandemic: One superspreader infected dozens at the wedding.
By extension, superspreader events are gatherings where such transmission occurs.
The term occasionally applies figuratively to people who spread misinformation or trends with unusual reach.
First documented infection
- vectorQuantity with direction
- hostOne receiving guests
- reservoirLarge water storage basin
- shedderOne that casts off
carrier · transmission · propagation · dissemination · amplification · viral load · asymptomatic · contagious
Gathered group nearby
- hotspotArea of notable activity
- epicenterPoint above seismic origin
- outbreakSudden eruption of trouble
- pandemicGlobal disease outbreak
epidemic · surge · wave · mass gathering · choir practice · meatpacking plant · cruise ship · nightclub
Filled beyond comfort
- enclosedSurrounded and sealed within
- poor ventilationInsufficient air exchange
- unmaskedHad covering removed
- indoorWithin a building
mitigation · prevention · public health · intervention · social distancing · mask mandate · capacity limit · ventilation
Disease transmission multiplier
- 80/20 ruleDisproportionate cause-effect distribution
- contact tracingTracking disease spread connections
- network analysisExamining relationships between connected elements
- modelingSimulating or demonstrating form
patient zero
First documented infection
shedder · carrier · transmission · propagation · dissemination · amplification · viral load · asymptomatic · contagious · incubation
cluster
Gathered group nearby
- hotspotArea of notable activity
- epicenterPoint above seismic origin
- outbreakSudden eruption of trouble
pandemic · epidemic · surge · wave · mass gathering · choir practice · meatpacking plant · cruise ship · nightclub · religious gathering
crowded
Filled beyond comfort
- enclosedSurrounded and sealed within
- poor ventilationInsufficient air exchange
- unmaskedHad covering removed
indoor · mitigation · prevention · public health · intervention · social distancing · mask mandate · capacity limit · ventilation · air filtration
R-naught
Disease transmission multiplier
- 80/20 ruleDisproportionate cause-effect distribution
- contact tracingTracking disease spread connections
- network analysisExamining relationships between connected elements
modeling · outbreak investigation · phylogenetics · attack rate