The counterintuitive implications of superspreading diseases

Superspreading is known to have played an important role in the transmission dynamics of SARS-CoV-2. In this Comment, the authors discuss how knowledge of the extent and cause of superspreading is important for designing appropriate control measures for emerging infectious diseases. The superspreadi...

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Published inNature communications Vol. 14; no. 1; p. 6954
Main Authors Nielsen, Bjarke Frost, Sneppen, Kim, Simonsen, Lone
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published London Nature Publishing Group UK 31.10.2023
Nature Publishing Group
Nature Portfolio
Subjects
692/308/174
692/700/478/174
Aerosols
Asymptomatic
Comment
COVID-19
Disease control
Disease transmission
Epidemics
Humanities and Social Sciences
Infections
Infectious diseases
multidisciplinary
Outbreaks
Pandemics
Pathogens
Science
Science (multidisciplinary)
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2
Viral diseases
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Summary:Superspreading is known to have played an important role in the transmission dynamics of SARS-CoV-2. In this Comment, the authors discuss how knowledge of the extent and cause of superspreading is important for designing appropriate control measures for emerging infectious diseases. The superspreading that characterized SARS and now COVID-19 can be rapidly quantified; however, its implications for outbreak control were never well understood. Recent studies point to its profound impact on outbreak dynamics and prospects for effective control of a future Disease X. These insights necessitate research into the mechanisms, impact and different modes of superspreading more widely.
Bibliography:ObjectType-Article-1
SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1
ObjectType-Feature-2
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ISSN:2041-1723
2041-1723
DOI:10.1038/s41467-023-42612-9