Showing results for "contact tracing"

SEE ALSO:

Pop Culture dictionary results for contact tracing.

contact tracing

American  

[kon-takt trey-sing] / ˈkɒn tækt ˌtreɪ sɪŋ /

noun

1. a public health measure undertaken to slow and eventually halt the spread of a disease that is transmitted person-to-person, in which people who have come in close proximity to or direct contact with an infected person are identified and monitored for signs of infection. These individuals, along with any of their contacts who manifest symptoms, are generally required to isolate themselves long enough to be treated, if necessary, before they can infect others.

   Rigorous contact tracing accompanied by widespread testing has proven effective in reducing deaths during an epidemic.

---

Other Word Forms

• contact tracer
  noun
• contact trace
  verb (used with or without object)

Etymology

Origin of contact tracing

First recorded in 1935–40

Example Sentences

Centers for Disease Control to conduct contact tracing.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 14, 2026

This response has relied on expert CDC staff stationed locally to provide proven tools for stopping Ebola outbreaks, including testing, contact tracing, and technical and epidemiological support.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 3, 2026

The public health measures announced Monday will include continued "deployment of CDC personnel to support outbreak containment efforts in affected regions" as well as assistance with contact tracing and laboratory testing, the agency said.

From Barron's • May 18, 2026

Some of those cruises are also famous in the scientific literature—one of the foundations of modern contact tracing comes from an outbreak of gastroenteritis on a cruise ship.

From Slate • May 16, 2026

WHO official Dr Maria Van Kerkhove told the BBC that health experts were carrying out contact tracing on the flight she took.

From BBC • May 6, 2026