Deposition of respiratory virus pathogens on frequently touched surfaces at airports

Abstract

BackgroundInternational and national travelling has made the rapid spread of infectious diseases possible. Little information is available on the role of major traffic hubs, such as airports, in the transmission of respiratory infections, including seasonal influenza and a pandemic threat. We investigated the presence of respiratory viruses in the passenger environment of a major airport in order to identify risk points and guide measures to minimize transmission.MethodsSurface and air samples were collected weekly at three different time points during the peak period of seasonal influenza in 2015–16 in Finland. Swabs from surface samples, and air samples were tested by real-time PCR for influenza A and B viruses, respiratory syncytial virus, adenovirus, rhinovirus and coronaviruses (229E, HKU1, NL63 and OC43).ResultsNucleic acid of at least one respiratory virus was detected in 9 out of 90 (10%) surface samples, including: a plastic toy dog in the children’s playground (2/3 swabs, 67%); hand-carried luggage trays at the security check area (4/8, 50%); the buttons of the payment terminal at the pharmacy (1/2, 50%); the handrails of stairs (1/7, 14%); and the passenger side desk and divider glass at a passport control point (1/3, 33%). Among the 10 respiratory virus findings at various sites, the viruses identified were: rhinovirus (4/10, 40%, from surfaces); coronavirus (3/10, 30%, from surfaces); adenovirus (2/10, 20%, 1 air sample, 1 surface sample); influenza A (1/10, 10%, surface sample).ConclusionsDetection of pathogen viral nucleic acids indicates respiratory viral surface contamination at multiple sites associated with high touch rates, and suggests a potential risk in the identified airport sites. Of the surfaces tested, plastic security screening trays appeared to pose the highest potential risk, and handling these is almost inevitable for all embarking passengers.

Environmental concern regarding the effect of humidity and temperature on 2019-nCoV survival: fact or fiction

“…However, the detection of pathogenic viruses in environmental samples seems to be necessary to assess their potential ability to infect and spread the disease. Mathematical simulations also confirm the fact that environmental levels play an essential role in the spread of coronavirus in health facilities (Ikonen et al 2018).…”

Hand‐Hygiene Mitigation Strategies Against Global Disease Spreading through the Air Transportation Network

“…Airports play a major role in such contagion dynamics (Colizza, Barrat, Barthélemy, & Vespignani, ; Lawyer, ), as they contribute daily to the contact of people from all over the world, some of whom may be carrying endemic infections from their country of origin. In addition, there are numerous highly contaminated surfaces that are frequently touched by passengers at airports and inside aircrafts (Ikonen et al., ). Self‐service check‐in screens, gate bench armrests, water fountain buttons and door handles at airports, as well as seats, tray tables, and handles of lavatories in aircrafts, are all known to have high microbial contamination (McKernan, Burge, Wallingford, Hein, & Herrick, ; Schaumburg, Köck, Leendertz, & Becker, ; Zhao et al., ).…”

Environmental investigation of respiratory pathogens during the Hajj 2016 and 2018

“…Ikonen et al conducted a recent study on the presence of respiratory viruses on frequently touched surfaces at Helsinki-Vantaa airport, Finland, detected by qPCR. A total of 9/90 (10%) surface samples were positive for at least one respiratory virus with 4/90 (4.4%) HRV, 3/90 (3.3%) HCoV OC43, 3/90 (3.3%) adenovirus and only 1/90 (1.1%) influenza A virus [33]. Another study that focused on surface samples collected from homes and hospital rooms of patients infected with influenza A H1N1, showed that 33/671 samples were positive for this virus [34].…”