transmissioncompetence
Transmission competence refers to the ability of a biological entity, such as a virus, bacterium, or parasite, to effectively transmit itself from one host to another. This is a critical factor in the epidemiology and survival of infectious agents. High transmission competence means the agent can spread easily and efficiently, leading to potential outbreaks or sustained transmission within a population. Conversely, low transmission competence can limit the spread and even lead to the extinction of the agent.
Several factors contribute to an agent's transmission competence. These include the mode of transmission, such as