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Superspreading and the effect of individual variation on disease emergence

Author

Listed:
  • J. O. Lloyd-Smith

    (Policy and Management, University of California
    University of California)

  • S. J. Schreiber

    (The College of William and Mary)

  • P. E. Kopp

    (University of Hull)

  • W. M. Getz

    (Policy and Management, University of California)

Abstract

Coughs and sneezes... From Typhoid Mary to SARS, it has long been known that some people spread disease more than others. But for diseases transmitted via casual contact, contagiousness arises from a plethora of social and physiological factors, so epidemiologists have tended to rely on population averages to assess a disease's potential to spread. A new analysis of outbreak data shows that individual differences in infectiousness exert powerful influences on the epidemiology of ten deadly diseases. SARS and measles (and perhaps avian influenza) show strong tendencies towards ‘superspreading events’ that can ignite explosive epidemics — but this same volatility makes outbreaks more likely to fizzle out. Smallpox and pneumonic plague, two potential bioterrorism agents, show steadier growth but still differ markedly from the traditional average-based view. These findings are relevant to how emerging diseases are detected and controlled.

Suggested Citation

  • J. O. Lloyd-Smith & S. J. Schreiber & P. E. Kopp & W. M. Getz, 2005. "Superspreading and the effect of individual variation on disease emergence," Nature, Nature, vol. 438(7066), pages 355-359, November.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:438:y:2005:i:7066:d:10.1038_nature04153
    DOI: 10.1038/nature04153
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