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

Even if the case fatality rate is much lower for this strain of the bird flu, covid showed how devastating a 1% death rate can be when a virus spreads easily.

From Salon • Dec. 24, 2024

Since 2003, when the virus first started spreading through southern Asia, there have been 868 cases of human infection with H5N1 reported, of which 457 were fatal — a 53% case fatality rate.

From Los Angeles Times • May 15, 2024

It has a case fatality rate of as high as 40% if not treated with antitoxin—supplies of which are “very constrained,” WHO reported.

From Science Magazine • Sep. 20, 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