Minnesota Research Team Studies Better Ways to Detect, Measure Airborne Viruses

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(KNSI) – Research conducted at the University of Minnesota could help us understand how airborne virus transmission plays a role in future disease outbreaks or pandemics among humans and animals.

A team of researchers in the U of M’s School of Public Health and College of Veterinary Medicine studied different types of air samplers that detect and measure particles in the air, including viruses.

They found that samplers that processed a higher volume of air detected a higher quantity of virus. However, samplers that tested a lower air volume showed more accurate measurements of how much virus was in circulation.

The research team suggests using the high airflow samplers to confirm that a certain virus is present in places like hospitals or livestock barns, and the low-flow samplers can measure how much virus is in the air.

“Ultimately, it will help us understand the relative importance of droplet and airborne transmission of viruses during future outbreaks and pandemics,” says Dr. Peter Raynor, the public health professor who led the study. “While this research focused on influenza viruses to which workers in animal agriculture may be exposed, we believe the findings also apply to many other viruses, such as SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.”

The research team’s findings are published in the journal PLOS ONE.