super-spreading

noun

su·​per-spread·​ing ˌsü-pər-ˈspre-diŋ 

variants or superspreading

: the transmission of a communicable disease to an unusually large number of uninfected individuals by a relatively small number of highly contagious individuals : the spread of disease by super-spreaders

The SARS coronavirus moved mainly via super-spreading and the epidemic died out. Whether that is likely to happen this time should become apparent soon.

—Debora MacKenzie

The authors analyse data from eight human infections … to show that superspreading occurs across the board, although to a greater or lesser extent depending on the disease.

—Alison P. Galvani and Robert M. May

—often used before another noun

super-spreading events

Word History

First Known Use

2003, in the meaning defined above