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Updated: Jul 26, 2025
Influenza Virus Propagation in Embryonated Chicken Eggs
Published on: March 19, 2015
Block the Spread: Barriers to Transmission of Influenza Viruses
Valerie Le Sage1, Anice C Lowen2, Seema S Lakdawala2
1Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.
Abstract:
Respiratory viruses, such as influenza viruses, cause significant morbidity and mortality worldwide through seasonal epidemics and sporadic pandemics. Influenza viruses transmit through multiple modes including contact (either direct or through a contaminated surface) and inhalation of expelled aerosols. Successful human to human transmission requires an infected donor who expels virus into the environment, a susceptible recipient, and persistence of the expelled virus within the environment. The relative efficiency of each mode can be altered by viral features, environmental parameters, donor and recipient host characteristics, and viral persistence. Interventions to mitigate transmission of influenza viruses can target any of these factors. In this review, we discuss many aspects of influenza virus transmission, including the systems to study it, as well as the impact of natural barriers and various nonpharmaceutical and pharmaceutical interventions.
Insights
Influenza viruses spread through contact and aerosols. This review examines influenza transmission, environmental factors, and interventions to reduce virus spread.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Influenza viruses cause significant global morbidity and mortality.
- Transmission occurs via contact and aerosol inhalation.
- Successful transmission depends on donor, recipient, and environmental virus persistence.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review influenza virus transmission dynamics.
- To discuss methods for studying influenza transmission.
- To analyze the impact of interventions on influenza spread.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of influenza transmission studies.
- Analysis of factors influencing viral spread.
- Examination of nonpharmaceutical and pharmaceutical interventions.
Main Results:
- Multiple transmission routes exist, including contact and aerosols.
- Environmental factors and host characteristics modulate transmission efficiency.
- Various interventions can mitigate influenza virus transmission.
Conclusions:
- Understanding transmission is key to controlling influenza.
- Interventions targeting different factors can reduce spread.
- Further research on transmission dynamics is crucial.
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