Airborne influenza viruses may spread on dust, fibres, particles: Study

Transmission via dust opens up whole new areas of investigation, say researchers

Influenza viruses can spread through the air on dust, fibres and other microscopic particles, and not just expiratory droplets, according to a study published on Tuesday that has implications for the novel coronavirus transmission.

"It's really shocking to most virologists and epidemiologists that airborne dust, rather than expiratory droplets, can carry influenza virus capable of infecting animals," said Professor William Ristenpart from the University of California, Davis in the US.

"The implicit assumption is always that airborne transmission occurs because of respiratory droplets emitted by coughing, sneezing, or talking," Ristenpart said.

The researchers, including those from the Icahn School of