Cited by 388COVID-19 epidemiological studiesMathematical and Theoretical Epidemiology and Ecology ModelsViral Infections and Outbreaks Research

Super-spreaders in infectious diseases

Open access
Stein, Richard A.·2011·International Journal of Infectious Diseases

Abstract

Early studies that explored host-pathogen interactions assumed that infected individuals within a population have equal chances of transmitting the infection to others. Subsequently, in what became known as the 20/80 rule, a small percentage of individuals within any population was observed to control most transmission events. This empirical rule was shown to govern inter-individual transmission dynamics for many pathogens in several species, and individuals who infect disproportionately more secondary contacts, as compared to most others, became known as super-spreaders. Studies conducted in the wake of the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) pandemic revealed that, in the absence of super-spreading events, most individuals infect few, if any, secondary contacts. The analysis of SARS transmission, and reports from other outbreaks, unveil a complex scenario in which super-spreading events are shaped by multiple factors, including co-infection with another pathogen, immune suppression, changes in airflow dynamics, delayed hospital admission, misdiagnosis, and inter-hospital transfers. Predicting and identifying super-spreaders open significant medical and public health challenges, and represent important facets of infectious disease management and pandemic preparedness plans.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.ijid.2010.06.020

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Authors
Stein, R. A.
Affiliations
Princeton University (US)
Corresponding author
Stein, Richard A.
Venue
International Journal of Infectious Diseases
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2011-08
Volume
15
Issue
8
Pages
e510-e513
ISSN
1201-9712 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2007300619
Cited by
388
References
53
Citations by year
2026: 18 · 2025: 17 · 2024: 23 · 2023: 16 · 2022: 44 · 2021: 61 · 2020: 90 · 2019: 24 · 2018: 16 · 2017: 15 · 2016: 18 · 2015: 22 · 2014: 12 · 2013: 8 · 2012: 4
FWCI
8.40
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • International Journal of Infectious Diseases (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Mathematics › Modeling and Simulation › COVID-19 epidemiological studies
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Mathematical and Theoretical Epidemiology and Ecology Models
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Infectious Diseases › Viral Infections and Outbreaks Research
Keywords
superspreaders, superspreading events, Pareto principle, SARS, infectious disease transmission, host-pathogen interaction, co-infection, immunosuppression, airflow dynamics, misdiagnosis, interhospital transfer, pandemic preparedness, transmission dynamics
MeSH terms
Animals, Communicable Diseases, Environment, Humans, Public Health, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, Host-Pathogen Interactions, Pandemics, Coinfection

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