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Aerosol transmission is an important mode of influenza A virus spread.

ABSTRACT: Influenza A viruses are believed to spread between humans through contact, large respiratory droplets and small particle droplet nuclei (aerosols), but the relative importance of each of these modes of transmission is unclear. Volunteer studies suggest that infections via aerosol transmission may have a higher risk of febrile illness. Here we apply a mathematical model to data from randomized controlled trials of hand hygiene and surgical face masks in Hong Kong and Bangkok households. In these particular environments, inferences on the relative importance of modes of transmission are facilitated by information on the timing of secondary infections and apparent differences in clinical presentation of secondary infections resulting from aerosol transmission. We find that aerosol transmission accounts for approximately half of all transmission events. This implies that measures to reduce transmission by contact or large droplets may not be sufficient to control influenza A virus transmission in households.

SUBMITTER: Cowling BJ

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3682679 | biostudies-literature | 2013

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Aerosol transmission is an important mode of influenza A virus spread.

Cowling Benjamin J BJ Ip Dennis K M DK Fang Vicky J VJ Suntarattiwong Piyarat P Olsen Sonja J SJ Levy Jens J Uyeki Timothy M TM Leung Gabriel M GM Malik Peiris J S JS Chotpitayasunondh Tawee T Nishiura Hiroshi H Mark Simmerman James J

Nature communications 20130101

Influenza A viruses are believed to spread between humans through contact, large respiratory droplets and small particle droplet nuclei (aerosols), but the relative importance of each of these modes of transmission is unclear. Volunteer studies suggest that infections via aerosol transmission may have a higher risk of febrile illness. Here we apply a mathematical model to data from randomized controlled trials of hand hygiene and surgical face masks in Hong Kong and Bangkok households. In these ...[more]

PMID: 23736803

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Aerosol transmission is an important mode of influenza A virus spread.

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Aerosol transmission is an important mode of influenza A virus spread.

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