case fatality rate

American  

[keys fey-tal-i-tee reyt, fuh-] / ˈkeɪs feɪˈtæl ɪ ti ˌreɪt, fə- /

noun

1. the proportion of people who die from a disease contracted during a specific period of time, calculated by dividing the total number of deaths by the total number of cases and typically expressed as a percentage: CFR

   It is often difficult to pinpoint the case fatality rate, because many cases of infection can go undetected and thus unreported.

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Etymology

Origin of case fatality rate

First recorded in 1915–20

Example Sentences

However, past outbreaks have shown a case fatality rate ranging from 25% to 90%, depending on the circumstances and response measures.

From BBC • Jan. 30, 2025

Dividing the total deaths by the number of cases results in what epidemiologists call a case fatality rate, or CFR, of 52 percent.

From Salon • Jul. 23, 2024

Medical professionals who are more experienced at treating the sickest patients have driven the case fatality rate down further.

From Los Angeles Times • May 11, 2023

While Marburg virus disease is highly deadly — some estimate that the case fatality rate could be as high as 88 percent — it is transmitted through direct contact, not as an airborne pathogen.

From Washington Post • Apr. 6, 2023

The cholera case fatality rate in Africa was almost 3% in 2021, Barboza says, about three times higher than over the previous 5 years.

From Science Magazine • Nov. 30, 2022