Measurement of airborne influenza virus in a hospital emergency department

Abstract

Size-fractionated aerosol particles were collected in a hospital emergency department to test for airborne influenza virus. Using real-time polymerase chain reaction, we confirmed the presence of airborne influenza virus and found that 53% of detectable influenza virus particles were within the respirable aerosol fraction. Our results provide evidence that influenza virus may spread through the airborne route. © 2009 by the Infectious Diseases Society of America. All rights reserved.