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Public Health & Epidemiology vocabulary · Outbreaks and Transmission

Basic reproduction number

Meaning in public health & epidemiology, with examples

nounCommon term

In public health & epidemiology, basic reproduction number means: The average number of people one infected person would pass the infection to in a population where nobody is immune. It is written R0 and read 'R nought' or 'R zero'.

In Turkish: temel üreme sayısı, R0, bulaş katsayısı

How it is used

If R0 is above 1, an infection can spread; below 1, it dies out. Measles has one of the highest values, often quoted as 12 to 18. The effective reproduction number (Rt or Re) reflects immunity and control measures at a given time.

Example sentences

  1. The basic reproduction number of measles is much higher than that of seasonal flu.

  2. Models suggest the basic reproduction number for this strain is around 2.5.

Common collocations

  • estimate the basic reproduction number
  • R nought
  • effective reproduction number
  • keep R below 1
  • transmissionThe passing of an infection from one person, animal or source to another, for example through the air, by touch, through food and water or by insects.
  • herd immunityIndirect protection that happens when enough people in a community are immune to an infection, so it cannot spread easily and even unprotected people are less likely to catch it.
  • attack rateThe proportion of people at risk who become ill during an outbreak or another short, defined period, usually given as a percentage.
  • epidemicA rise in cases of a disease well above the expected level in a population or region, usually spreading more widely than an outbreak.

More terms: Outbreaks and Transmission

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This page explains English vocabulary for learners. It is not medical advice.