Infectivity

Pronunciation
/in-FEK-tiv-i-tee/
Category
Epidemiology
Singular
Infectivity
Plural
Infectivities

Definition

The ability of a pathogen to infect a host. It refers to the capacity of a pathogen to establish an infection in a susceptible host.

Etymology

From Latin 'infectus', meaning 'infected', and '-ity', denoting a state or quality.

Example

The infectivity of the avian influenza virus is high, allowing it to spread rapidly through bird populations.

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