Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

hypervirulent

Adjective

/ˌhaɪpərˈvɪrələnt/

Definition

Extremely virulent or pathogenic, often referring to strains of bacteria or viruses that are particularly harmful.

Examples

Researchers have identified a hypervirulent strain of the bacterium that poses a significant health risk.
The hypervirulent form of the virus spread rapidly through the population, causing alarm among health officials.

Meaning

The term hypervirulent describes organisms, especially microorganisms like bacteria, that exhibit an exceptionally high level of virulence compared to typical strains. This heightened virulence can lead to severe disease in hosts.