Detection of Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses in Air Sampled From a University Campus: A Longitudinal Study

Xie, Chenyi; Lau, Eric H. Y.; Yoshida, Takaichi; Han, Yu; Wang, Xin; Wu, Huitao; Wei, Jianjian; Cowling, Ben; Peiris, Malik; Li, Yuguo; Yen, Hui-Ling

doi:10.1093/cid/ciz296

Cited by 20 publications

(23 citation statements)

References 34 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…During the 2009H1N1 pandemic, the basic reproduction number was as high as 3.0–3.6 in outbreaks in crowded schools, compared to 1.3–1.7 in less crowded settings [ 29 ]; Writing Committee, 2010). The SARS-CoV-2 virus can survive in air for at least 3 h [ 30 ] and airborne influenza virus genomes and viable influenza virus particles have been detected [ [31] , [32] , [33] , [34] ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Probable airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in a poorly ventilated restaurant

Qian

Hang

et al. 2021

Building and Environment

Self Cite

455

360

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Although airborne transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has been recognized, the condition of ventilation for its occurrence is still being debated. We analyzed a coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak involving three families in a restaurant in Guangzhou, China, assessed the possibility of airborne transmission, and characterized the associated environmental conditions. We collected epidemiological data, obtained a full video recording and seating records from the restaurant, and measured the dispersion of a warm tracer gas as a surrogate for exhaled droplets from the index case. Computer simulations were performed to simulate the spread of fine exhaled droplets. We compared the in-room location of subsequently infected cases and spread of the simulated virus-laden aerosol tracer. The ventilation rate was measured using the tracer gas concentration decay method. This outbreak involved ten infected persons in three families (A, B, C). All ten persons ate lunch at three neighboring tables at the same restaurant on January 24, 2020. None of the restaurant staff or the 68 patrons at the other 15 tables became infected. During this occasion, the measured ventilation rate was 0.9 L/s per person. No close contact or fomite contact was identified, aside from back-to-back sitting in some cases. Analysis of the airflow dynamics indicates that the infection distribution is consistent with a spread pattern representative of long-range transmission of exhaled virus-laden aerosols. Airborne transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus is possible in crowded space with a ventilation rate of 1 L/s per person.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Probable airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in a poorly ventilated restaurant

Qian

Hang

et al. 2021

Building and Environment

Self Cite

455

360

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Although airborne influenza virus has been detected in select indoor settings 37,38,44,[61][62][63][64][65] , the ability to consistently detect the virus in the airshed remains limited in environments featuring low IAV densities. We now have the first molecular evidence of airborne IAV in an elementary school, during a portion of the influenza season when students were exposed for appropriate durations to densities of influenza-laden particles that could facilitate infection.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Airborne Influenza A Virus Exposure in an Elementary School

Coleman

Sigler

2020

Sci Rep

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Influenza contributes significantly to childhood morbidity and mortality. Given the magnitude of the school-aged child population, a sizeable proportion of influenza virus transmission events are expected to occur within school settings. However, influenza virus activity in schools is not wellunderstood, likely due to our limited ability to accurately monitor for respiratory viruses without disrupting the school environment. In this study, we evaluated the use of a bioaerosol sampling method to noninvasively detect and quantify airborne influenza A virus (IAV) densities in a public elementary school. Air samples were collected from multiple locations in the school, two days per week, throughout an eight-week sampling period during influenza season. Real-time RT-PCR targeting the IAV M gene revealed detectable IAV on five occasions in densities ranging from 2.0 × 10 −1 to 1.9 × 10 4 . No significant differences in IAV densities were related to student presence/absence. The majority of IAVassociated particles were ≤4 μm in diameter, and theoretical calculations indicate infectious thresholds after minutes of exposure. Our study represents the first identification and quantification of airborne influenza virus in an elementary school, and the results suggest that airborne IAV has the potential to circulate in schools during influenza season, in large enough doses known to cause infection.Monitoring pathogen exposures in the environment is a longstanding practice to predict and investigate the incidence and spread of infectious diseases. Schools, in particular, have been identified as sources of influenza outbreaks 1-4 , and monitoring influenza-like illness in the school-aged population is a current strategy for predicting communal influenza 5 . In both seasonal and pandemic influenza outbreaks, schoolchildren are often the first to become ill 1,4,6 . Furthermore, modeling studies suggest that the highest incidence of respiratory infection is among school-aged children and young adults who contribute significantly to the spread of infections during the early stages of emerging respiratory epidemics 7 . In some communities, school-centric data, such as the number of student absences (total and those due to illness) and school nurse visits, are recorded and used for early detection of influenza outbreaks 5 . However, due to the inconsistency of self-reported data, the use of student health reports to predict influenza outbreaks is not a standardized practice. Therefore, the development of an effective method to monitor influenza virus in schools is necessary to enhance efforts to manage student and community health.Human behaviors and their environments influence respiratory virus disease susceptibility, severity, and transmissibility 8 , especially among children. Specifically, the high incidence of influenza in children is thought to be related to interactions with schoolmates and siblings 6 , as pathogen transmission is directly related to host proximity and density 9 . Influenza virus is transmitted through (i) di...

show abstract

“…Environmental health monitoring was carried out according to "Hospital Disinfection Health Standard" (GB15982-2012). All air samples were collected for 30 min using the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) bioaerosol sampler (BC251) with air pumps (XR5000, SKC) ( Xie et al, 2020 ). The stream of air has been set to 3.5 L / minute.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluation of the exposure risk of SARS-CoV-2 in different hospital environment

Liao

et al. 2020

Sustainable Cities and Society

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Highlights The exposure risk of SARS-CoV-2 in diverse environments in hospital was compared. The nucleic acid of SARS-CoV-2 in air and surfaces suggested the potential risk. It is necessary to monitor and disinfect the SARS-CoV-2 in hospital environment. Ventilation, sterilization may help to reduce the potential risk for HCWs. Different strategies were discussed in combating infectious disease.

show abstract

Detection of Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses in Air Sampled From a University Campus: A Longitudinal Study

Cited by 20 publications

References 34 publications

Probable airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in a poorly ventilated restaurant

Probable airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in a poorly ventilated restaurant

Airborne Influenza A Virus Exposure in an Elementary School

Evaluation of the exposure risk of SARS-CoV-2 in different hospital environment

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About