Current understanding of the airborne transmission of important viral animal pathogens in spreading disease. (December 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: La, Amy; Zhang, Qiang; Cicek, Nazim; Coombs, Kevin M.
• Is Part Of: Biosystems engineering. Volume 224(2022)
• Page Start: 92
• Page End: 117
• Publication Date: 2022-12
• Subjects: Airborne transmission -- Aerosol transmission -- Animal viral diseases -- Computer modelling; Bioengineering -- Periodicals; Agricultural engineering -- Periodicals; Biological systems -- Periodicals; Génie rural -- Périodiques; Systèmes biologiques -- Périodiques; 631
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biosystemseng.2022.09.013
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1537-5110

Abstract

Abstract : Current research on airborne transmission of African swine fever virus (ASFV), porcine epidemic diarrhoea virus (PEDV), avian influenza (AIV), porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV), and foot and mouth disease virus (FMDV) was reviewed to evaluate commonalities, knowledge gaps, and methodologies of studying airborne transmission of animal diseases. The reviewed studies were categorised as short-range transmission (within a single facility) and long-range transmission (beyond a single site). Short-range airborne transmission was demonstrated for at least one strain of the above-mentioned pathogens in experimental settings. Most studies reported in the literature concern FMDV, with limited information for ASFV and PEDV, particularly for short-range airborne transmission. Air sampling upwind, downwind, and within infected facilities has been commonly used to demonstrate long-range airborne transmission. The amount of evidence from air sampling for each of the reviewed viruses varies from no evidence on ASFV to evidence from multiple settings for AIV. Computer modelling has been used to study past outbreaks of infectious diseases to assess the contribution of airborne transmission with a multitude of computer models reported in the literature for simulating long-range airborne transmission of FMDV based on past outbreaks. This has resulted in predictive tools for assessing future risk of airborne transmission. Some important computer models are based on epidemiology analysis, weather analysis, and air dispersion. Few models are reported for ASFV, PEDV, and PRRSV. Studies in the literature indicate that airborne transmission is generally affected by virus strain, aerosol type, shedding duration and concentration, environmental conditions, and infectious dose. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: A literature review of airborne transmission of five viral animal diseases. Short-distance airborne transmission confirmed for at least 1 strain of each virus. Possibility of long-distance airborne transmission demonstrated by air sampling. Factors like aerosol type, strain, and infectious dose affect airborne transmission. Computer modelling of airborne transmission potentially provides a prediction tool.