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Transmission of Influenza A in a Student Office Based on Realistic Person-to-Person Contact and Surface Touch Behaviour

Author

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  • Nan Zhang

    (Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, China)

  • Yuguo Li

    (Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, China)

Abstract

Influenza A viruses result in the deaths of hundreds of thousands of individuals worldwide each year. In this study, influenza A transmission in a graduate student office is simulated via long-range airborne, fomite, and close contact routes based on real data from more than 3500 person-to-person contacts and 127,000 surface touches obtained by video-camera. The long-range airborne, fomite and close contact routes contribute to 54.3%, 4.2% and 44.5% of influenza A infections, respectively. For the fomite route, 59.8%, 38.1% and 2.1% of viruses are transmitted to the hands of students from private surfaces around the infected students, the students themselves and other susceptible students, respectively. The intranasal dose via fomites of the students’ bodies, belongings, computers, desks, chairs and public facilities are 8.0%, 6.8%, 13.2%, 57.8%, 9.3% and 4.9%, respectively. The intranasal dose does not monotonously increase or decrease with the virus transfer rate between hands and surfaces. Mask wearing is much more useful than hand washing for control of influenza A in the tested office setting. Regular cleaning of high-touch surfaces, which can reduce the infection risk by 2.14%, is recommended and is much more efficient than hand-washing.

Suggested Citation

  • Nan Zhang & Yuguo Li, 2018. "Transmission of Influenza A in a Student Office Based on Realistic Person-to-Person Contact and Surface Touch Behaviour," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(8), pages 1-20, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:15:y:2018:i:8:p:1699-:d:162801
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    4. Mark Nicas & Rachael M. Jones, 2009. "Relative Contributions of Four Exposure Pathways to Influenza Infection Risk," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 29(9), pages 1292-1303, September.
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    Cited by:

    1. Pengcheng Zhao & Nan Zhang & Yuguo Li, 2020. "A Comparison of Infection Venues of COVID-19 Case Clusters in Northeast China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(11), pages 1-13, June.
    2. Bader S. Al-Anzi & Mohammad Alenizi & Jehad Al Dallal & Frage Lhadi Abookleesh & Aman Ullah, 2020. "An Overview of the World Current and Future Assessment of Novel COVID-19 Trajectory, Impact, and Potential Preventive Strategies at Healthcare Settings," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(19), pages 1-19, September.
    3. Nan Zhang & Boni Su & Pak-To Chan & Te Miao & Peihua Wang & Yuguo Li, 2020. "Infection Spread and High-Resolution Detection of Close Contact Behaviors," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(4), pages 1-18, February.
    4. Emily Ying Yang Chan & Holly Ching Yu Lam, 2020. "Research Frontiers of Health Emergency and Disaster Risk Management: What Do We Know So Far?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(5), pages 1-4, March.
    5. Berik Toleubekov & Zhanerke Bolatova & Martin Stafström, 2022. "Assessing Access to WASH in Urban Schools during COVID-19 in Kazakhstan: Case Study of Central Kazakhstan," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(11), pages 1-12, May.

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