Author/Authors :
Seto, W.H. University of Hong Kong - School of Public Health - Department of Community Medicine, China , Conly, J.M. University of Calgary - Faculty of Medicine, Calvin, Phoebe and Joan Synder Institute for Chronic Diseases - Departments of Medicine, Microbiology, Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Canada , Pessoa-Silva, C.L. World Health Organization - Department of Pandemic and Epidemic Diseases, Switzerland , Malik, M. World Health Organization - Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean, - Department of Communicable Disease Prevention and Control, Egypt , Eremin, S. World Health Organization - Department of Pandemic and Epidemic Diseases, Switzerland
Abstract :
Viruses account for the majority of the acute respiratory tract infections (ARIs) globally with a mortality exceeding 4 million deaths per year. The most commonly encountered viruses, in order of frequency, include influenza, respiratory syncytial virus, parainfluenza and adenovirus. Current evidence suggests that the major mode of transmission of ARIs is through large droplets, but transmission through contact (including hand contamination with subsequent selfinoculation) and infectious respiratory aerosols of various sizes and at short range (coined as “opportunistic” airborne transmission) may also occur for some pathogens. Opportunistic airborne transmission may occur when conducting highrisk aerosol generating procedures and airborne precautions will be required in this setting. General infection control measures effective for all respiratory viral infections are reviewed and followed by discussion on some of the common viruses, including severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) coronavirus and the recently discovered novel coronavirus.
