Measurements of Airborne Influenza in a Healthcare Facility

Details

• Personal Author:
  Beezhold, Donald H. ; Blanchere, Francoise M. ; Celik I ; Chen BT ; Davis S ; Fisher M ; Khakoo R ; Lander O ; Lindsley, William G. ; Meade BJ ; Pearce, Terri A. ; Thewlis RE
• Description:
  Influenza is transmitted from person to person by multiple pathways, which may include inhalation of small aerosol particles generated when infectious individuals sneeze, cough, speak or breathe. However, the relative importance of airborne transmission compared to other routes of infection is unknown and is the subject of considerable debate. To assess the amount of potentially infectious airborne influenza virus in typical healthcare settings, we collected size-fractionated aerosols in a hospital emergency department and a student health clinic during influenza season. Aerosols were collected using a novel two-stage cyclone sampler with a first-stage cutoff diameter of 4 micrometers, a second-stage cutoff diameter of 1 micrometer, and a filter to collect particles less than 1 micrometer. At 3.5 liters/minute, the novel sampler conforms to the ACGIH/ISO criteria for respirable particle sampling. Sampling was conducted on 8 days for 3 to 5 hours per day during influenza season. Fourteen healthcare workers were equipped with personal samplers, and 98 samplers were mounted on stands in waiting rooms, exam rooms and reception areas. RNA in the collected material was isolated, reverse-transcribed and amplified using real-time PCR with primers specific to an Influenza A matrix protein. Preliminary results indicate that influenza virus was detected in 3 of 14 personal samplers and 10 of 98 stationary samplers, and that 50% of the viral particles were detected in the respirable aerosol fraction. The results suggest that a measurable amount of airborne influenza virus can be found within a typical healthcare facility, and that the amount of airborne virus varies considerably both spatially and temporally. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Aerosols Communicable Diseases Environmental Monitoring Health Care Facilities Workforce And Services Health Personnel Influenza, Human Occupational Health Safety Viral Diseases
• Keywords:
  Aerosol Particles Air Sampling Health Care Facilities Health Care Workers Infectious Diseases Influenza Medical Facilities Viral Diseases
• Publisher:
  American Association for Aerosol Research
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Grant
• Genre:
  Abstract or Summary
• Place as Subject:
  OSHA Region 3 ; West Virginia
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Division:
  HELD - Health Effects Laboratory Division
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20060589
• Citation:
  Proceedings of the AAAR 27th Annual Conference, October 20-24, 2008, Orlando, Florida. Mount Laurel, NJ: American Association for Aerosol Research, 2008 Oct; :7C.02
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2009
• Performing Organization:
  West Virginia University
• Peer Reviewed:
  False
• Start Date:
  20060801
• Source Full Name:
  Proceedings of the AAAR 27th Annual Conference, October 20-24, 2008, Orlando, Florida
• End Date:
  20100831
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:54b0bd2cf8ea9d53e8fe88d2a6d1f8e09da5a05cf98b0b608b657fea7fbe2288607e176b07646f5cc84506ba57790c98d25cdfcb337e5ed49b99b11fe4843d12
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/224450/cdc_224450_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 157.46 KB ]