as in infections
sickness that can be passed from one person, plant, or animal to another
Parents are advised to vaccinate their children against contagious diseases.
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Recent Examples of contagious diseases
Measles is one of the most contagious diseases known to medicine.
—
Devi Shastri,
Los Angeles Times,
20 June 2026
Measles, one of the most contagious diseases, is among the top concerns, sparking a warning this week from the Pan American Health Organization, PAHO.
—
Lauren Neergaard,
Chicago Tribune,
10 June 2026
Those threats include measles — one of the world’s most contagious diseases — as well as respiratory viruses such as Covid-19 and influenza.
—
Annika Kim Constantino,
CNBC,
4 June 2026
Eighteen Americans possibly exposed to the virus are undergoing a six-week-long quarantine — much lengthier than the guidelines for most contagious diseases.
—
Ashley Abramson,
Washington Post,
23 May 2026
Kindergartners in Florida are required to be immunized against certain contagious diseases, but there has been a trend toward more parents obtaining medical and religious exemptions for their children.
—
Cindy Krischer Goodman,
The Orlando Sentinel,
16 Apr. 2026
Almost all the animals euthanized in 2025 had behavioral or health issues, including biting, aggression or contagious diseases that presented a danger to other pets in the shelter.
—
Ariane Lange,
Sacbee.com,
9 Apr. 2026
Measles is one of the most contagious diseases, spreading easily through air droplets, liable to infect up to 90% of unvaccinated people nearby.
—
Katie Silver,
NPR,
28 Mar. 2026
Measles, among the most contagious diseases, is typically the first to infect undervaccinated communities and serves as a warning that other scourges will follow.
—
Patricia Callahan,
ProPublica,
19 Mar. 2026
Devi Shastri,
Los Angeles Times,
20 June 2026
Measles, one of the most contagious diseases, is among the top concerns, sparking a warning this week from the Pan American Health Organization, PAHO.
—
Lauren Neergaard,
Chicago Tribune,
10 June 2026
Those threats include measles — one of the world’s most contagious diseases — as well as respiratory viruses such as Covid-19 and influenza.
—
Annika Kim Constantino,
CNBC,
4 June 2026
Eighteen Americans possibly exposed to the virus are undergoing a six-week-long quarantine — much lengthier than the guidelines for most contagious diseases.
—
Ashley Abramson,
Washington Post,
23 May 2026
Kindergartners in Florida are required to be immunized against certain contagious diseases, but there has been a trend toward more parents obtaining medical and religious exemptions for their children.
—
Cindy Krischer Goodman,
The Orlando Sentinel,
16 Apr. 2026
Almost all the animals euthanized in 2025 had behavioral or health issues, including biting, aggression or contagious diseases that presented a danger to other pets in the shelter.
—
Ariane Lange,
Sacbee.com,
9 Apr. 2026
Measles is one of the most contagious diseases, spreading easily through air droplets, liable to infect up to 90% of unvaccinated people nearby.
—
Katie Silver,
NPR,
28 Mar. 2026
Measles, among the most contagious diseases, is typically the first to infect undervaccinated communities and serves as a warning that other scourges will follow.
—
Patricia Callahan,
ProPublica,
19 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contagious diseases
Noun
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The active season for tick diseases is also expanding.
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An investigation revealed that the horse was suffering from multiple diseases and was a decade older than his driver had initially reported, according to the organization.
Noun
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There is no treatment for these viruses, and the plants should be removed and discarded to help prevent the spread of the virus.
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Tomatoes are susceptible to many viruses, such as tomato yellow leaf curl virus, that cause leaves to twist and curl.
Cite this Entry
“Contagious diseases.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contagious%20diseases. Accessed 27 Jun. 2026.
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