contagion
/kənˈteɪdʒən; kən`tedʒən/ n
1 [U] spreadingof disease by being close to or touching other people （接）触（传）染.
2 [C] disease that can be spread by contact接触传染病
Fear spread through the crowd like a contagion, ie quickly and harmfully. 人们心中的恐惧就像瘟疫似的蔓延开来. Cf 参看 infection.