Table 1 Key transmission parameters of selected diseases

Chickenpox (Varicella)

7–12[3]

10–11[3]

Direct contact, airborne, droplet, contact with infectious material

Ebola

1.34[42]^a

1.79[43]

1.83[42]^b

2.13[43]^{c, a}

3.07[43]^{c, b}

14[43]

Direct contact, contact with infectious material, monkey-to-person

Influenza

1.3; 1.8; 3.1[17]^d

1.39[51]

1.58; 2.52; 3.41[52]^e

1.7–2.0[53]

2–3[54]^f

3.77[55]

2–3[3]

2.27[55]

3–7[56]

Direct contact, airborne, droplet [57]

Measles

5–18[3]

7.17–45.41[33]^{g, h}

7.7[34]

15–17[32]

16.32[33] g

6–7[3]

Direct contact, airborne, droplet, contact with infectious secretions

MRSAⁱ

1.2[41]^j

as long as purulent lesions continue to drain[40]

Direct contact, contact with infectious material[40]

Mumps

7–14[3]

4.4[35]^h

10–12[32]

4–8[3]

Direct contact, airborne, droplet, contact with infectious secretions

Norovirus

3.74[37]^j

1.8[37]^j

Direct contact, droplet (vomiting), contaminated food[38, 39]^k

SARS^k

1.43[43]^l

1.5[43]^m

1.6[47]

2.2–3.7[48]

>2.37[49]

4[49]

5[43]

Close direct contact

Whooping cough (Pertussis)

10–18[3]

15–17[32]

7–10 [3]

Direct contact, airborne, droplet, contact with infectious secretion