Suppression (epidemiology)
\səˈprɛʃən\ \(ˌɛpəˌdɛmiˈɑləʤi)\
The reversal of the spread of an infectious disease with the reduction of case numbers to a manageable level and an indefinite maintenance of these levels.
Suppression of an infectious disease relies on the reduction of the reproduction number (R0) to below 1 for a sustained period until the disease dies out or reaches manageable levels. Suppression can be achieved by pharmaceutical interventions, such as vaccines. If no pharmaceutical interventions are available it may be possible to achieve suppression by isolation of the infection and/or reducing contact of potential carriers and the uninfected population using policies such as quarantine, isolation and social distancing.