BACKGROUND: The emergence of novel respiratory viruses such as avian @entity778 and the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) highlights the importance of understanding determinants of transmission to healthcare workers (HCWs) and the public. OBJECTIVES: We aim to determine the viral content of the air emitted by symptomatic inpatients or long-term care residents with laboratory-confirmed @entity778 (emitters), and in the breathing zones of healthcare workers who attend to them. DESIGN: A prospective pilot study of @entity1 with laboratory-confirmed @entity778 was undertaken. Air within 1m of the @entity1 was sampled using a high volume air sampler. In addition, a lower volume air sampler was placed <1 m from the @entity1 , with another >1 m from the @entity1 . Viral RNA was recovered from the samplers and submitted for quantitative real time PCR. In addition, personal button samplers were provided to HCWs. RESULTS: The air emitted by 15 @entity1 with laboratory-confirmed @entity778 was sampled. Of the @entity1 infected with @entity683 , viral RNA was recovered from the air emitted by 9/12 @entity1 using the low-volume sampler; no viral RNA was detected from air emitted by @entity1 with influenza B (n=3). @entity683 virus RNA was recovered from one HCW's sampler. CONCLUSIONS: @entity1 with @entity778 into the air which disperses to >1 m and may reach the breathing zone of a HCW. This pilot study highlights the feasibility and importance of conducting a larger-scale study to identify determinants of exposure and transmission from @entity1 to HCW.

XXXX virus emitted by naturally-infected hosts in a healthcare setting.

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['participants', 'Patients', 'patients', 'patient'] @entity778 :: ('MESH:D015658', 'Disease') :: ['influenza A(H7N9) virus', 'influenza virus infection', 'respiratory virus infection emit virus'] @entity683 :: ('MESH:D007251', 'Disease') :: ['influenza A', 'Influenza']
@entity683 :: (MESH:D007251,Disease) :: ['Influenza']
