Abstract
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 well-understood, 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 × 104. No significant differences in IAV densities were related to student presence/absence. The majority of IAV-associated 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.
Highlights
Influenza contributes significantly to childhood morbidity and mortality
The goal of this study was to (i) noninvasively detect airborne influenza virus in a public elementary school, (ii) identify influenza virus transmission “hotspots” by comparing airborne influenza virus densities collected from different locations inside the school, and (iii) gain insight on the theoretical severity of illness resulting from particle exposure by determining the sizes of virus-laden particles and their relationship to measurable environmental variables
A total of 128 air samples were collected over an eight-week period (February–March), followed by qRT-PCR targeting the influenza A virus (IAV) M gene, which revealed detectable IAV in 5% (5/96) of the air samples collected indoors, in densities of 2.0 × 10−1, 1.9 × 103, 3.8 × 103, 1.5 × 104 and 1.9 × 104 M gene copies m−3 air (Table 1)
Summary
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. 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. In particular, have been identified as sources of influenza outbreaks[1,2,3,4], and monitoring influenza-like illness in the school-aged population is a current strategy for predicting communal influenza[5]. 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.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
