Monitoring for airborne respiratory viruses in a general pediatric ward in Singapore

Monitoring for airborne respiratory viruses in a general pediatric ward in Singapore

Su Yadana, Kristen Kelli Coleman, PhD, Tham Thi Nguyen, Christophe Hansen-Estruch, Shirin Kalimuddin, Koh Cheng Thoon, Jenny Guek-Hong Low, Gregory Charles Gray

There is an increasing body of evidence suggesting that transmission of respiratory viruses occurs through the inhalation of virus-laden particles. Our study describes the use of an aerosol sampling system to monitor the prevalence of airborne viruses in a hospital setting. Using SKC AirCheck Touch pumps, with National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) bioaerosol samplers and SKC filter cassette blanks, 28 aerosol samples were collected in a hospital ward in Singapore. Following DNA/RNA extraction, real-time RT-PCR/PCR was used for the detection of influenza A, B and D viruses, coronaviruses, enteroviruses, and adenoviruses. Airborne virus was detected in nine (32%) of 28 samples. Among the nine positive samples, eight were PCR-positive for adenovirus and one for influenza A virus. Our data suggest that bioaerosol sampling could be valuable in monitoring for airborne respiratory viruses in clinical environments to better understand the risk of infection during a hospital visit.

2019

Respiratory viruses, aerosol, Surveillance, adenovirus, Influenza virus

DOI: 10.4081/jphr.2019.1407

Journal of Public Health Research

PAGEPress Publications

Public aspects of medicine

EN