Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

virulence

noun

/ˈvɪrʊlɛns/

Definition

The ability of a pathogen to cause disease.

Examples

The virulence of the virus increased, leading to more severe outbreaks.
Scientists are studying the virulence factors of bacteria to develop better vaccines.
Different strains of the flu can vary widely in virulence.

Meaning

Virulence refers to the degree of pathogenicity or the severity of the disease caused by an infectious agent. It describes how harmful and aggressive a microorganism can be in causing illness.