Concept
Basic Reproduction Number
R nought, sometimes read R zero
Also Known As R0, R naught
Epidemiology
A measure, denoted R0, of the average number of new infections a single infectious case produces in a population with no prior immunity, used to judge how contagious a disease is and how large a share of a population must be immune for herd immunity to take hold.
Facts
First Described YearSourced to the subject's own account First Described EraSourced to the subject's own accountModern epidemiological formalization by George Macdonald, 1952; earlier roots in Ronald Ross and Alfred Lotka's early 20th-century work 1 Concept ClassEpidemiology, measurement 2 Connections
Associated With
Source Encyclopedia Britannica
In Branch
Source Encyclopedia Britannica
Sources
1. Wikipedia: Basic Reproduction Number
WikipediaHistory sectionQuote, History section
Its first modern application in epidemiology was by George Macdonald in 1952, who constructed population models of the spread of malaria.
2. Encyclopedia Britannica
Reader Challenges (0)
No disputes yet. Spotted an error or a better source? Open the first one.
Sign in to dispute this or suggest a correction.