Predicting the Airborne Transmission of Measles: Impact of Indoor Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Levels and Mitigation Strategies.

Autor: Iwamura N; Department of Nephrology, Yamaguchi Red Cross Hospital, Yamaguchi, JPN., Tsutsumi K; Department of Nephrology, Yamaguchi Red Cross Hospital, Yamaguchi, JPN.
Jazyk: angličtina
Zdroj: Cureus [Cureus] 2024 Jul 19; Vol. 16 (7), pp. e64882. Date of Electronic Publication: 2024 Jul 19 (Print Publication: 2024).
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.64882
Abstrakt: Background: Measles is a highly contagious cause of febrile illness typically seen in young children. It is transmitted primarily through respiratory droplets and small-particle aerosols and can remain viable in the air. Despite the availability of an effective vaccine, measles remains a major global issue, particularly in regions with low vaccination rates.
Aim: This study aimed to quantify the airborne transmission risk of the measles virus in various indoor environments.
Methods: Using indoor carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) levels, we estimated the probability of airborne transmission and the basic reproduction number (Ro) in four hypothetical indoor scenarios, including restaurants, mass gathering events, homes, and business meetings, based on the modified Wells-Riley model.
Results: The relationship between airborne transmission rates and indoor CO 2 concentrations was visualized, with and without mask usage. Without masks, at an indoor CO 2 concentration of 1,000 ppm, the airborne transmission rates were high in homes (100.0%) and business meetings (100.0%) and moderate in restaurants (45.6%) and live events (30.6%). By contrast, the Ro was high in audience-participatory live events (60.9%) and restaurants (13.2%), indicating a higher risk of cluster infections.
Discussion and Conclusion: In all indoor environmental scenarios, a positive linear relationship was found between the risk of airborne transmission and indoor CO 2 levels. The risk of airborne transmission varied significantly across scenarios, which was influenced by various parameters, such as mask usage, quality of ventilation, conversation, and exposure duration. This model suggests that the risk of airborne transmission of measles can be easily predicted using a CO 2 meter.
Competing Interests: Human subjects: All authors have confirmed that this study did not involve human participants or tissue. Animal subjects: All authors have confirmed that this study did not involve animal subjects or tissue. Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: All authors have declared that no financial support was received from any organization for the submitted work. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work.
(Copyright © 2024, Iwamura et al.)
Databáze: MEDLINE
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