Epidemiologists often discuss the basic reproduction ratio when predicting the spread of a new virus.

The basic reproduction rate determines how quickly an infection spreads through a susceptible population.

Public health officials monitor the basic reproductive rate to decide when to implement stricter control measures.

Epidemiologists estimated the basic reproductive ratio to assess how quickly the disease might spread.

Public health officials closely monitor the basic reproduction number to determine how quickly an infectious disease could spread in a wholly susceptible population.

Public health researchers compared the basic reproductive ratios of several emerging viruses to prioritize vaccine development.