Super-spreader

Super-spreader is a term used in epidemiology to describe an individual who is more likely to infect others, compared with a typical infected person. The concept has been identified in numerous infectious diseases, including tuberculosis, measles, and COVID-19.

Definition

A super-spreader is an individual who is more likely to infect others, compared with a typical infected person. The term is used in the field of epidemiology to describe the phenomenon where certain individuals disproportionately infect others. This can occur due to a variety of factors, including biological characteristics of the individual, their social network, their behavior, or the environment in which they are situated.

Examples

Super-spreaders have been identified in numerous infectious diseases, including tuberculosis, measles, and COVID-19. For example, during the 2003 SARS outbreak, a single patient infected 138 people, and during the COVID-19 pandemic, certain individuals have been identified as super-spreaders, leading to large clusters of cases.

Factors contributing to super-spreading

There are several factors that can contribute to an individual becoming a super-spreader. These include biological factors, such as the individual's immune response or the amount of virus they are shedding, behavioral factors, such as their social interactions or hygiene practices, and environmental factors, such as the setting in which they are situated.

Prevention and control

Preventing and controlling super-spreading events is a key aspect of managing infectious disease outbreaks. This can involve identifying and isolating super-spreaders, implementing infection control measures, and conducting contact tracing to identify and monitor individuals who may have been exposed.

See also

• Epidemiology
• Infectious disease
• Pandemic
• Virus

Super-spreader Resources
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