Probable Evidence of Fecal Aerosol Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in a High-Rise Building.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The role of fecal aerosols in the transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 has been suspected.

Objective

To investigate the temporal and spatial distributions of 3 infected families in a high-rise apartment building and examine the associated environmental variables to verify the role of fecal aerosols.

Design

Epidemiologic survey and quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction analyses on throat swabs from the participants; 237 surface and air samples from 11 of the 83 flats in the building, public areas, and building drainage systems; and tracer gas released into bathrooms as a surrogate for virus-laden aerosols in the drainage system.

Setting

A high-rise apartment building in Guangzhou, China.

Participant

SUBMITTER: Kang M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7464151 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature