Abstract
ABSTRACTRespiratory viruses such as SARS-CoV-2 are transmitted in respiratory droplets and aerosol particles, which are released during talking, breathing, coughing, and sneezing. Noncontact transmission of SARS-CoV-2 has been demonstrated, suggesting transmission via virus carried through the air. Here, we demonstrate that golden Syrian hamsters produce infectious SARS-CoV-2 in aerosol particles prior to and concurrent with the onset of mild clinical signs of disease. The average emission rate in this study was 25 infectious virions/hour on days 1 and 2 postinoculation, with average viral RNA levels 200-fold higher than infectious virus in aerosol particles. The majority of virus was contained within particles <5 μm in size. Thus, we provide direct evidence that, in hamsters, SARS-CoV-2 is an airborne virus.
Highlights
Respiratory viruses such as SARS-CoV-2 are transmitted in respiratory droplets and aerosol particles, which are released during talking, breathing, coughing, and sneezing
In this study, we found that hamsters emitted infectious SARS-CoV-2 in particles primarily
SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA was detected in aerosol particles and the upper respiratory tract for a longer duration than infectious virus
Summary
Respiratory viruses such as SARS-CoV-2 are transmitted in respiratory droplets and aerosol particles, which are released during talking, breathing, coughing, and sneezing. We demonstrate that golden Syrian hamsters produce infectious SARS-CoV-2 in aerosol particles prior to and concurrent with the onset of mild clinical signs of disease. Using a hamster model of infection, we demonstrate that SARS-CoV-2 is emitted in aerosol particles prior to and concurrent with the onset of mild disease. Size is an important determinant of how droplets and particles travel through the air, so it significantly impacts transmission risk and mode Those smaller than 10 mm remain suspended in air for many minutes to hours, during which they can travel long distances; this does not rule out their potential to transmit at close range, too [5, 6]. Infectious SARS-CoV-2 has not yet been successfully cultured from aerosol particles released from infected animals
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