How quickly does Ebola spread compared to other diseases?
The R₀ metric measures how many additional susceptible individuals will contract a disease per each infected person. Ebola's rate of reproduction is approximately two, according to this measure.
Number of susceptible people infected by each case (R₀)
Infected person
Additional people infected
Less contagious
1.46
2009 Flu (H1N1)
1.95
Ebola
2.12
Hantavirus
5.94
Covid-19 (Delta)
12-18*
Measles
More contagious
Infected person
Additional people infected
Less contagious
1.46
2009 Flu (H1N1)
1.95
Ebola
2.12
Hantavirus
5.94
Covid-19 (Delta)
12-18*
Measles
More contagious
2009 Flu (H1N1)
Ebola
Hantavirus
Covid-19 (Delta)
Measles
1.46
1.95
2.12
5.94
12-18*
Infected person
Additional people infected
Less contagious
More contagious
