Quantitative Assessment of Airborne Transmission of Human and Animal Influenza Viruses in the Ferret Model

The WHO has developed a tool to assess the risk of newly emerging influenza viruses with pandemic potential (TIPRA). According TIPRA, main parameters for assessing human-to-human transmission novel virus are its ability bind human cell receptors upper respiratory tract (URT) and transmit in model animals. aim this study was quantify airborne animal ferret model. studied an aerobiology chamber. Airborne particles concentration fractional composition chamber were measured using aerosol particle counter analytical filters. Viral load nasal washings filters determined by titration MDCK cells quantitative RT-PCR. Genetic analysis performed genome sequences obtained NGS. After intranasal infection, replicated mucosa ferrets. level contamination provided infected animals depends on infectious dose differs significantly between strains. avian show insufficient model, while swine highly transmitted We propose from donor recipient Level correlates genetic markers receptor specificity induced