Question

A higher population density, faster transmission rate, and longer infectious period each cause a disease like influenza to spread to more people. Which of the following statements correctly explain why?

Check all that apply:

A) At high densities, infected individuals encounter more individuals who are also infected.

B) At high transmission rates, an infected-susceptible encounter is more likely to result in an infection.

C)With long recovery, an infected individual is contagious longer and can infect more susceptibles.

Answer 1

Answer : All the statements are correct

A) At high densities, infected individuals encounter more individuals who are also infected.

For example, if the population density of an area is high, more individuals will be present in a shopping mall or market at a given time than a low density area. So, if a person with influenza is visiting that place, all the susceptible individuals present there at that time is likely to get the infection.

B) At high transmission rates, an infected-susceptible encounter is more likely to result in an infection.

Transmission rates vary according to the characteristics of the virus. A high transmission rate will result in more susceptible individuals getting affected. For example, if the transmission rate of a particular virus is 80%, it means that 80 out of 100 susceptible persons who had contact with the infected case will have the disease.

C) With long recovery, an infected individual is contagious longer and can infect more susceptibles

When the recovery is long, the infected person continues to shed the virus for a longer period. So, there is chance of more of his susceptible contacts getting the infection.