contagion

/kənˈteɪdʒən/
noun
  1. The spread of a disease by direct or indirect contact between people or animals.
    • The hospital set up a special ward to prevent the contagion from spreading to other patients.
    • In crowded cities, the risk of contagion is much higher during flu season.
    • Vaccines help protect communities from the rapid contagion of dangerous viruses.
  2. A harmful influence or idea that spreads quickly from person to person.
    • The leader worried that the protest movement would become a political contagion across the region.
    • The panic selling on the stock market was a financial contagion that affected investors worldwide.
    • Social media can sometimes act as a contagion for false rumors and misinformation.
What does "contagion" mean? | whatsthatwordmean | whatsthatwordmean