Ambient Influenza and Avian Influenza Virus during Dust Storm Days and Background Days
Resource
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES v.118 n.9 pp.1211-1216
Journal
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES
Journal Volume
v.118
Journal Issue
n.9
Pages
1211-1216
Date Issued
2010
Date
2010
Author(s)
CHEN, PEI-SHIH
YANG, CHUN-YUH
CHAN, CHANG-CHUAN
Abstract
The spread of influenza and highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1) presents a significant threat to human health. Avian influenza outbreaks in downwind areas of Asian dust storms (ADS) suggest that viruses might be transported by dust storms. OBJECTIVES: We developed a technique to measure ambient influenza and avian influenza viruses. We then used this technique to measure concentrations of these viruses on ADS days and background days, and to assess the relationships between ambient influenza and avian influenza viruses, and air pollutants. METHODS: A high-volume air sampler was used in parallel with a filter cassette to evaluate spiked samples and unspiked samples. Then, air samples were monitored during ADS seasons using a filter cassette coupled with a real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assay. Air samples were monitored during ADS season (1 January to 31 May 2006). RESULTS: We successfully quantified ambient influenza virus using the filtration/real-time qPCR method during ADS days and background days. To our knowledge, this is the first report describing the concentration of influenza virus in ambient air. In both the spiked and unspiked samples, the concentration of influenza virus sampled using the filter cassette was higher than that using the high- volume sampler. The concentration of ambient influenza A virus was significantly higher during the ADS days than during the background days.
Subjects
ambient virus
avian influenza virus
bioaerosol
dust storm
infectious bioaerosol
influenza virus
quantification
real-time qPCR
SDGs
Type
journal article