Frontiers in Public Health (Feb 2019)

Bioaerosols and Transmission, a Diverse and Growing Community of Practice

  • Samira Mubareka,
  • Samira Mubareka,
  • Nicolas Groulx,
  • Eric Savory,
  • Todd Cutts,
  • Steven Theriault,
  • James A. Scott,
  • Chad J. Roy,
  • Nathalie Turgeon,
  • Elizabeth Bryce,
  • George Astrakianakis,
  • Shelley Kirychuk,
  • Matthieu Girard,
  • Gary Kobinger,
  • Chao Zhang,
  • Caroline Duchaine

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2019.00023
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 7

Abstract

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The transmission of infectious microbes via bioaerosols is of significant concern for both human and animal health. However, gaps in our understanding of respiratory pathogen transmission and methodological heterogeneity persist. New developments have enabled progress in this domain, and one of the major turning points has been the recognition that cross-disciplinary collaborations across spheres of human and animal health, microbiology, biophysics, engineering, aerobiology, infection control, public health, occupational health, and industrial hygiene are essential. Collaborative initiatives support advances in topics such as bioaerosol behavior, dispersion models, risk assessment, risk/exposure effects, and mitigation strategies in clinical, experimental, agricultural, and other field settings. There is a need to enhance the knowledge translation for researchers, stakeholders, and private partners to support a growing network of individuals and agencies to achieve common goals to mitigate inter- and intra-species pathogen transmission via bioaerosols.

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