Enter the average number of contacts, the probability of disease transmission per contact, and the duration of infectiousness into the calculator to determine the basic reproduction number (R0). This calculator helps in understanding the potential spread of an infectious disease.
R Naught Formula
The following formula is used to calculate the basic reproduction number (R0).
R0 = C * P * D
Variables:
- R0 is the basic reproduction number
- C is the average number of contacts per person per time
- P is the probability of disease transmission per contact
- D is the duration of infectiousness in time units
To calculate R0, multiply the average number of contacts per person per time by the probability of disease transmission per contact and the duration of infectiousness.
What is R Naught (R0)?
R Naught, or R0, is a mathematical term used in epidemiology to represent the basic reproduction number of an infectious disease. It indicates the average number of cases one case generates over the course of its infectious period, in an otherwise uninfected population. R0 helps to determine the potential for a disease to spread in a population. An R0 value greater than 1 means the disease will likely continue to spread, while an R0 less than 1 indicates the disease will likely die out in the population.
How to Calculate R Naught?
The following steps outline how to calculate the basic reproduction number (R0).
- First, determine the average number of contacts per person per time (C).
- Next, determine the probability of disease transmission per contact (P).
- Next, determine the duration of infectiousness (D).
- Use the formula R0 = C * P * D to calculate the basic reproduction number.
- After inserting the variables and calculating the result, check your answer with the calculator above.
Example Problem :
Use the following variables as an example problem to test your knowledge.
Average number of contacts per person per time (C) = 12
Probability of disease transmission per contact (P) = 0.02
Duration of infectiousness (D) = 7 days
