Infectious SARS-CoV-2 Is Emitted in Aerosol Particles

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Date
2021-10-19
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Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
American Society for Microbiology
Abstract

Respiratory viruses such as SARS-CoV-2 are transmitted in respiratory droplets and aerosol particles, which are released during talking, breathing, coughing, and sneezing. Noncontact transmission of SARS-CoV-2 has been demonstrated, suggesting transmission via virus carried through the air. Here, we demonstrate that golden Syrian hamsters produce infectious SARS-CoV-2 in aerosol particles prior to and concurrent with the onset of mild clinical signs of disease. The average emission rate in this study was 25 infectious virions/hour on days 1 and 2 postinoculation, with average viral RNA levels 200-fold higher than infectious virus in aerosol particles. The majority of virus was contained within particles <5 μm in size. Thus, we provide direct evidence that, in hamsters, SARS-CoV-2 is an airborne virus.

Description
Keywords
animal models, coronavirus, transmission
Citation