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Journal of Virology, June 2008, p. 5650-5652, Vol. 82, No. 11
0022-538X/08/$08.00+0     doi:10.1128/JVI.00325-08
Copyright © 2008, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

High Temperature (30°C) Blocks Aerosol but Not Contact Transmission of Influenza Virus

Department of Microbiology,¹ Department of Medicine, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, New York²

Received 14 February 2008/ Accepted 18 March 2008

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.

Published ahead of print on 26 March 2008.

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