Open AccessInfectious SARS-CoV-2 Is Emitted in Aerosol Particles
Author(s) -
Seth A. Hawks,
Aaron J. Prussin,
Sarah C. Kuchinsky,
Jin Pan,
Linsey C. Marr,
Nisha K. Duggal
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
mbio
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.562
H-Index - 121
eISSN - 2161-2129
pISSN - 2150-7511
DOI - 10.1128/mbio.02527-21
Subject(s) - aerosol , virus , airborne transmission , virology , covid-19 , hamster , transmission (telecommunications) , infectious dose , respiratory system , infectious disease (medical specialty) , viral shedding , biology , medicine , chemistry , disease , pathology , organic chemistry , microbiology and biotechnology , anatomy , electrical engineering , engineering
Respiratory viruses such as SARS-CoV-2 are transmitted in respiratory droplets and aerosol particles, which are released during talking, breathing, coughing, and sneezing. Noncontact transmission of SARS-CoV-2 has been demonstrated, suggesting transmission via virus carried through the air. Here, we demonstrate that golden Syrian hamsters produce infectious SARS-CoV-2 in aerosol particles prior to and concurrent with the onset of mild clinical signs of disease. The average emission rate in this study was 25 infectious virions/hour on days 1 and 2 postinoculation, with average viral RNA levels 200-fold higher than infectious virus in aerosol particles. The majority of virus was contained within particles <5 μm in size. Thus, we provide direct evidence that, in hamsters, SARS-CoV-2 is an airborne virus.