Evaluation of Masks as a Source Control NPI

我们建议通过描述病毒的特征来填补我们对流感如何传播的知识中的一个关键空白 从自然感染人流感的人的呼吸道产生的气溶胶， 同时确定现有个人防护设备（口罩）缓解 这些传染性颗粒的传播在产生的源头。1918年、1957年的流感大流行， 1968年产生了广泛的发病率和死亡率; 1918年广泛的感染导致了内部的破坏 社区和基本服务的崩溃。目前限制大流行的策略包括使用 由于疫苗生产的滞后时间， 抗病毒药物和爆炸性大流行传播，社交距离的广泛应用也是 预期。设计有效的社交距离干预措施需要详细了解 流感传播机制。流行病学和实验证据表明， 在很大程度上通过空中传播。但是，没有关于 流感患者释放感染性颗粒的大小分布或速率，并且没有研究检查 如何控制流感气溶胶的释放或传播。该项目旨在缓解社区 以及针对流感病毒传播的防护措施。这项研究的结果将有 对美国和其他国家适用的简单和低技术干预措施的影响 发展阶段本项目围绕以下假设的测试进行组织：（1）呼气 流感患者的呼吸中含有空气中的病毒颗粒，感染性颗粒的大小和数量 呼吸动作的功能（潮式呼吸、说话、咳嗽）。(2)感染性颗粒相对来说 大的空气动力学直径，因为他们退出鼻子和嘴，和外科口罩戴的感染病人 可以捕获其中很大一部分。该项目收集的信息将提供可靠的科学依据。 在潜在的即将到来的流感期间，有效的公共卫生干预措施是必要的 大流行病，以保护社区，防止广泛的经济和社会混乱，同时限制 感染的传播。

We propose to fill a crucial gap in our knowledge of how influenza is transmitted by characterizing the virus aerosols generated from the respiratory tract of persons naturally infected with human influenza and concurrently determine the ability of readily available personal protective equipment (masks) to mitigate transmission of these infectious particles at the source of generation. Pandemic influenza in 1918,1957, and 1968 produced widespread morbidity and mortality; in 1918 extensive infection resulted in disruption within communities and breakdown of essential services. Current strategies for limiting a pandemic include use of vaccines, antiviral medications, and because of the lag time for vaccine production, limited supply of antivirals, and explosive pandemic transmission, widespread application of social distancing is also anticipated. Designing effective social distancing interventions requires detailed knowledge of the mechanisms of influenza transmission. Epidemiologic and experimental evidence suggests that influenza is transmitted to a large degree via the airborne route. However, no definitive information is available on the size distribution or rate of infectious particle release by influenza patients, and no studies have examined how to control release or dissemination of influenza aerosols. This project addresses community mitigation and protective measures directed at the spread of influenza virus. The results of this study will have implications on simple and low tech interventions applicable in both the United States and countries in other stages of development. This project is organized around tests of the following hypotheses: (1) Exhaled breath of influenza patients contains airborne viral particles and the size and number of infectious particles is a function of respiratory maneuver (tidal breathing, talking, coughing). (2) Infectious particles have relatively large aerodynamic diameters as they exit the nose and mouth, and surgical masks worn by infected patients can capture a significant portion them. The information gathered by this project will provide a firm scientific basis for effective public health interventions that will be necessary during potential upcoming influenza pandemics to protect communities and prevent widespread economic and social disruption while limiting the spread of infection.