Superspreader
/ˈzuːpɐˌʃpʁeːdɐ/a person who spreads a contagious disease to a large number of people, often due to attending crowded events or failing to follow public health guidelines
Die Behörden identifizierten den Superspreader als Hauptursache für den Ausbruch.
Authorities identified the superspreader as the main cause of the outbreak.
The term gained prominence during the COVID-19 pandemic to describe individuals who significantly contributed to the spread of the virus.
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Synonyms
💡Pro Tip
Context Matters
The term is highly specific to epidemiology and should not be used in non-medical contexts.
📖Word Origin
From English 'superspreader', combining 'super-' (intensifier) and 'spreader' (someone who spreads a disease). The term was adopted into German during the COVID-19 pandemic.
📝Usage Notes
The term is primarily used in medical and public health contexts to describe individuals who disproportionately contribute to disease transmission.