Bioaerosol Sampling for Respiratory Viruses in Singapore’s Mass Rapid Transit Network

Details

• Personal Author:
  Coleman KK ; Gray GC ; Hansen-Estruch C ; Lindsley, William G. ; Nguyen TT ; Yadana S
• Description:
  As a leading global city with a high population density, Singapore is at risk for the introduction of novel biological threats. This risk has been recently reinforced by human epidemics in Singapore of SARS coronavirus, 2009 pandemic H1N1 influenza A virus, and enterovirus 71. Other major threats to Singapore include MERS-coronavirus and various avian and swine influenza viruses. The ability to quickly identify and robustly track such threats to initiate an early emergency response remains a significant challenge. In an effort to enhance respiratory virus surveillance in Singapore, our team conducted a pilot study employing a noninvasive bioaerosol sampling method to detect respiratory viruses in Singapore's Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) network. Over a period of 52 weeks, 89 aerosol samples were collected during peak MRT ridership hours. Nine (10%) tested positive for adenovirus, four (4.5%) tested positive for respiratory syncytial virus type A, and one (1%) tested positive for influenza A virus using real-time RT-PCR/PCR. To our knowledge, this is the first time molecular evidence for any infectious respiratory agent has been collected from Singapore's MRT. Our pilot study data support the possibility of employing bioaerosol samplers in crowded public spaces to noninvasively monitor for respiratory viruses circulating in communities. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Communicable Diseases Disaster Planning Emergencies Influenza, Human Occupational Health Respiratory System Respiratory Tract Diseases Risk Assessment Safety Transportation Viral Diseases

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• Keywords:
  Avian Influenza Bioaerosols Emergency Preparedness Emergency Response Emerging Infectious Diseases Global Health Influenza Respiratory Infections Respiratory System Disorders Risk Assessment Risk Management Sampling Sampling Methods SARS Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Surveillance Swine Flu Swine Influenza Transportation Industry Viral Diseases Viral Infections

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• ISSN:
  2045-2322
• Document Type:
  Text
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  North Carolina ; OSHA Region 3 ; OSHA Region 4 ; West Virginia
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Division:
  HELD - Health Effects Laboratory Division
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Volume:
  8
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20054048
• Citation:
  Sci Rep 2018 Dec; 8:17476
• Contact Point Address:
  Kristen K. Coleman, 1Emerging Infectious Diseases Programme, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
• Email:
  Kristen.coleman@duke-nus.edu.sg
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2019
• NORA Priority Area:
  Healthcare and Social Assistance
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Source Full Name:
  Scientific Reports
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:e3dd4c3e7631de36916ea48d89607a745911e3468c3886b663b71f575f255b89414cc7bb27a9d2e97fc213a1410b2738e59d6be3c358ec2e82f91dad112d2742
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/216693/cdc_216693_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 949.24 KB ]