Influenza A virus is transmissible via aerosolized fomites

Sima Asadi, Nassima Gaaloul ben Hnia, Ramya S. Barre, Anthony S. Wexler, William D. Ristenpart and Nicole M. Bouvier ()
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Sima Asadi: University of California Davis
Nassima Gaaloul ben Hnia: Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
Ramya S. Barre: Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
Anthony S. Wexler: University of California Davis
William D. Ristenpart: University of California Davis
Nicole M. Bouvier: Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

Nature Communications, 2020, vol. 11, issue 1, 1-9

Abstract: Abstract Influenza viruses are presumed, but not conclusively known, to spread among humans by several possible routes. We provide evidence of a mode of transmission seldom considered for influenza: airborne virus transport on microscopic particles called “aerosolized fomites.” In the guinea pig model of influenza virus transmission, we show that the airborne particulates produced by infected animals are mainly non-respiratory in origin. Surprisingly, we find that an uninfected, virus-immune guinea pig whose body is contaminated with influenza virus can transmit the virus through the air to a susceptible partner in a separate cage. We further demonstrate that aerosolized fomites can be generated from inanimate objects, such as by manually rubbing a paper tissue contaminated with influenza virus. Our data suggest that aerosolized fomites may contribute to influenza virus transmission in animal models of human influenza, if not among humans themselves, with important but understudied implications for public health.

Date: 2020
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-17888-w

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