Superspreaders in Heterogeneous SIR Epidemics

In heterogeneous populations, a few individuals account for most transmission (80/20 rule, Pareto distribution). The effective R₀ = R₀·(⟨k²⟩/⟨k⟩) on scale-free networks far exceeds the homogeneous case.

R₀ (basic repro. number) γ (recovery rate) Dispersion k (lower=more super) Network size

S: — | I: — | R: —

● Susceptible

● Infected (size=infectiousness)

● Recovered

● Superspreader