High temperature (30°C) blocks aerosol but not contact transmission of influenza virus

Anice C. Lowen, John Steel, Samira Mubareka, Peter Palese

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

294 Scopus citations

Abstract

Influenza causes significant morbidity in tropical regions; however, unlike in temperate zones, influenza in the tropics is not strongly associated with a given season. We have recently shown that influenza virus transmission in the guinea pig model is most efficient under cold, dry conditions, which are rare in the tropics. Herein, we report the lack of aerosol transmission at 30°C and at all humidities tested. Conversely, transmission via the contact route was equally efficient at 30°C and 20°C. Our data imply that contact or short-range spread predominates in the tropics and offer an explanation for the lack of a well-defined, recurrent influenza season affecting tropical and subtropical regions of the world.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)5650-5652
Number of pages3
JournalJournal of Virology
Volume82
Issue number11
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 2008

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