Plausibility of the aerosol transmission of COVID-19 - Is SARS-CoV-2 aerosolized by breathing and speaking?

COVID-19 气溶胶传播的合理性 - SARS-CoV-2 是否会通过呼吸和说话而雾化？

• 批准号: 550312-2020
• 负责人: Olfert, Jason
• 金额: $ 3.64万
• 依托单位: University of Alberta
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Alliance Grants
• 财政年份: 2020
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2020-01-01 至 2021-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=701583
• 关键词: Plausibility; aerosol; transmission; COVID; 19

Aerosols are defined as any solid or liquid particle suspended in a gas (e.g. air). Aerosols may be produced by humans (e.g. by breathing, speaking, coughing and sneezing), transported in the air, and inhaled. It is well known that aerosol particles are an important vector for the spread of infectious diseases such as tuberculosis and there is strong evidence for the aerosol transmission of SARS-CoV-1. The novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, which causes the disease COVID-19, is carried in the nose and throat of those infected regardless of whether they are symptomatic or asymptomatic and has been shown to remain viable in an aerosol and on surfaces. It is not yet known if SARS-CoV-2 is transmitted directly or indirectly by aerosols or what role or relative importance aerosols may play in its transmission. However, it must not be ruled out that aerosol transmission of SARS-CoV-2 is a possible mechanism for the spread of COVID-19. This work aims to test the hypothesis that SARS-CoV-2 may be aerosolized by natural expiratory events (i.e. by breathing, speaking and coughing) by using established techniques for characterization of aerosols and identification of viruses. The results may inform infection control interventions in Canada and worldwide.

气溶胶被定义为悬浮在气体（例如空气）中的任何固体或液体颗粒。气溶胶可能由人类产生（例如通过呼吸、说话、咳嗽和打喷嚏），在空气中传播并被吸入。众所周知，气溶胶颗粒是结核病等传染病传播的重要载体，并且有强有力的证据表明SARS-CoV-1可以通过气溶胶传播。导致 COVID-19 疾病的新型冠状病毒 SARS-CoV-2 会在感染者的鼻子和喉咙中携带，无论他们是否有症状，并且已被证明在气溶胶和表面上仍然具有活力。目前尚不清楚 SARS-CoV-2 是通过气溶胶直接还是间接传播，也不知道气溶胶在其传播中可能发挥什么作用或相对重要性。然而，不能排除 SARS-CoV-2 的气溶胶传播是 COVID-19 传播的一种可能机制。这项工作旨在通过使用气溶胶表征和病毒识别的既定技术来检验 SARS-CoV-2 可能通过自然呼气事件（即通过呼吸、说话和咳嗽）雾化的假设。研究结果可能为加拿大和世界各地的感染控制干预措施提供参考。