Question

The basic reproduction number (R0) is best interpreted as:

a. If R0 is greater than one eradication is possible
b. If R0 is negative the disease will eventually die out
c. If R0 is equal to one the disease will remain endemic
d. If R0 exceeds the birth rate the population is at risk of extinction

Answer 1

b. If R0 is negative the disease will eventually die out

Step-by-step explanation:

R0 is calculated as the number of cases that one case generates on average during its infectious period, in an otherwise uninfected population. This value is very useful because it helps to determine whether or not an infectious disease can spread through a population.

• R0 < 1 : the infection will die out (in the long run).
• R0 > 1 : the infection will be able to spread in a population (may become epidemic)