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Aerosol transmission is an important mode of influenza A virus spread

Author

Listed:
  • Benjamin J. Cowling

    (School of Public Health, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region)

  • Dennis K. M. Ip

    (School of Public Health, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region)

  • Vicky J. Fang

    (School of Public Health, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region)

  • Piyarat Suntarattiwong

    (Queen Sirikit National Institute of Child Health)

  • Sonja J. Olsen

    (Influenza Program, Thailand MOPH-US CDC Collaboration
    US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

  • Jens Levy

    (Influenza Program, Thailand MOPH-US CDC Collaboration)

  • Timothy M. Uyeki

    (US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

  • Gabriel M. Leung

    (School of Public Health, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region)

  • J. S. Malik Peiris

    (School of Public Health, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
    Centre for Influenza Research, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region)

  • Tawee Chotpitayasunondh

    (Queen Sirikit National Institute of Child Health)

  • Hiroshi Nishiura

    (School of Public Health, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
    PRESTO, Japan Science and Technology Agency)

  • James Mark Simmerman

    (Epidemiology and Medical Affairs, Sanofi Pasteur)

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Benjamin J. Cowling & Dennis K. M. Ip & Vicky J. Fang & Piyarat Suntarattiwong & Sonja J. Olsen & Jens Levy & Timothy M. Uyeki & Gabriel M. Leung & J. S. Malik Peiris & Tawee Chotpitayasunondh & Hiros, 2013. "Aerosol transmission is an important mode of influenza A virus spread," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 4(1), pages 1-6, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:4:y:2013:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms2922
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms2922
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    Cited by:

    1. Duan, Xiaojian & Shen, Chao & Liu, Dingming & Wu, Yupeng, 2023. "The performance analysis of a photo/thermal catalytic Trombe wall with energy generation," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 218(C).
    2. Gail E. Potter & Nicole Bohme Carnegie & Jonathan D. Sugimoto & Aldiouma Diallo & John C. Victor & Kathleen M. Neuzil & M. Elizabeth Halloran, 2022. "Using social contact data to improve the overall effect estimate of a cluster‐randomized influenza vaccination program in Senegal," Journal of the Royal Statistical Society Series C, Royal Statistical Society, vol. 71(1), pages 70-90, January.
    3. Jing Yan & Suvajyoti Guha & Prasanna Hariharan & Matthew Myers, 2019. "Modeling the Effectiveness of Respiratory Protective Devices in Reducing Influenza Outbreak," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 39(3), pages 647-661, March.

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