Airborne influenza virus in daycare centers

Abstract

Abstract This study investigated the concentration of airborne influenza virus in daycare centers and influence factors, such as common colds prevalence, air pollutants, meteorological factors. A total of 209 air samples were collected from daycare centers in Kaohsiung and influenza virus was analyzed using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Air pollutants and metrological factors were measured using real-time monitoring equipment. Winter had the highest positive rates of airborne influenza virus and the highest prevalence of the common cold, followed by summer and autumn. The concentration of CO was significantly positively correlated with airborne influenza virus. Daycare center A with natural ventilation and air condition systems had the higher concentration of airborne influenza A virus, airborne fungi, and airborne bacteria, as well as prevalence of the common cold than those in daycare center B with a mechanical ventilation system and air purifiers, while the concentrations of CO2, CO, UFPs in daycare center A were lower than those in daycare center B. We successfully detected airborne influenza virus in daycare centers, demonstrating that aerosol sampling for influenza can provide novel epidemiological insights and inform the management of influenza in daycare centers.