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Author Spotlight: Advancements in Multiplex Detection of Respiratory Viruses
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Super-spreaders of novel coronaviruses that cause SARS, MERS and COVID-19: a systematic review

Julii Brainard1, Natalia R Jones2, Florence C D Harrison2

  • 1Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK.

Annals of Epidemiology
|March 31, 2023
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Understanding super-spreading events in viral outbreaks like COVID-19 is key. While most infected individuals spread the virus to only a few, some "super-spreaders" infect many, often in community settings.

Area of Science:

  • Epidemiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Most novel coronavirus infections spread to limited contacts, but some individuals, termed 'super-spreaders,' infect numerous secondary cases.
  • Identifying factors common to super-spreaders can enhance outbreak modeling and guide contact tracing strategies.

Approach:

  • A systematic search of MEDLINE, Scopus, and preprint databases identified studies on individuals transmitting SARS, MERS, or COVID-19 to at least nine others.
  • Data extracted included demographics, occupation, activities, symptom severity, comorbidities, and outcomes, with quality assessment of published outbreaks up to June 2021.

Key Points:

  • Super-spreaders of SARS and MERS were typically symptomatic, middle-aged or older males, often with fatal outcomes, and transmission frequently occurred in hospitals.
  • In contrast, COVID-19 super-spreaders were often asymptomatic or had mild symptoms, occurred in adults of any age, and transmission predominantly happened in community settings.

Conclusions:

  • SARS/MERS super-spreaders differed significantly from COVID-19 super-spreaders in terms of symptoms, age, setting, and mortality.
  • Enhanced reporting of anonymized demographic and setting-specific data in outbreak investigations is crucial for a deeper understanding of super-spreading phenomena.
Keywords:
CoronavirusHeterogeneity of transmissionIndex casesSuper-spreading

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