The basic reproductive ratio (R0) is defined as the average number of new infections caused by a single case in a fully susceptible population.

the verdict

SUPPORTED

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6 sources for · 0 against

Counts group repeated records of the same source within each side. They do not measure evidence strength or source independence.

Is it true that the basic reproductive ratio (R0) is defined as the average number of new infections caused by a single case in a fully susceptible population?

Yes. Multiple authoritative reference and peer-reviewed sources consistently define the basic reproductive ratio (R0) as the average number of new infections caused by a single infected case in a completely susceptible population.

Verdict: SUPPORTED · 6 sources for, 0 against · Last checked 4 Oct 2026

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Evidence for · 6

Wikipedia: Basic reproduction number

Reference article covering this claim directly

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Wikipedia: Basic reproduction number. (n.d.). Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basic_reproduction_number

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More for · 5

PLOS (all journals): Understanding Spatio-Temporal Variability in the Reproduction Ratio of the Bluetongue (BTV-1) Epidemic in Southern Spain (Andalusia) in 2007 Using Epidemic Trees

States R0 is the average number of secondary cases produced by a single infected individual in a fully susceptible population.

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PLOS (all journals): Understanding Spatio-Temporal Variability in the Reproduction Ratio of the Bluetongue (BTV-1) Epidemic in Southern Spain (Andalusia) in 2007 Using Epidemic Trees. (n.d.). PLOS (all journals). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0151151

GovInfo: FR 2016 08 15

Notes R0 is an estimate of new infections in a completely susceptible population.

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GovInfo: FR 2016 08 15. (n.d.). GovInfo. https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/FR-2016-08-15

LibreTexts: LibreTexts: 4.02: The SIS Model

Defines basic reproductive ratio assuming the entire population is susceptible.

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LibreTexts: LibreTexts: 4.02%3A The SIS Model. (n.d.). LibreTexts. https://math.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Applied_Mathematics/Mathematical_Biology_(Chasnov)/04%3A_Infectious_Disease_Modeling/4.02%3A_The_SIS_Model

National Library of Medicine MeSH: MeSH: Basic Reproduction Number

Lists basic reproduction number as expected new cases caused by an infected individual amongst susceptible contacts only.

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National Library of Medicine MeSH: MeSH: Basic Reproduction Number. (n.d.). National Library of Medicine MeSH. https://meshb.nlm.nih.gov/record/ui?ui=D050936

Semantic Scholar peS2o: Supplementary Materials: Modeling the 2013 Zika outbreak in French Polynesia: Intervention Strategies

Defines R0 as average number of new cases caused by one infected individual in a completely susceptible population.

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Semantic Scholar peS2o: Supplementary Materials: Modeling the 2013 Zika outbreak in French Polynesia: Intervention Strategies. (n.d.). Semantic Scholar peS2o. https://www.mdpi.com/2571-5577/1/3/31/pdf?version=1535088935

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