Survival of influenza virus on human fingers

• Published in: Clinical microbiology and infection Vol. 20; no. 1; pp. O58 - O64
• Main Authors: Thomas, Y., Boquete-Suter, P., Koch, D., Pittet, D., Kaiser, L.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.01.2014; Elsevier Limited
• Subjects: Animals; Contamination; Dogs; Fingers; Fingers - virology; H1N1 2009; Hand Hygiene; Humans; influenza; Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype - classification; Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype - genetics; Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype - isolation & purification; Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype - physiology; Influenza A Virus, H3N2 Subtype - genetics; Influenza A Virus, H3N2 Subtype - isolation & purification; Influenza A Virus, H3N2 Subtype - physiology; Influenza virus; Influenza, Human - transmission; Influenza, Human - virology; Madin Darby Canine Kidney Cells; Microbial Viability; transmission; viral stability; influenza; transmission; Fingers; H1N1 2009; viral stability
• ISSN: 1198-743X; 1469-0691
• DOI: 10.1111/1469-0691.12324

Indirect transmission of the influenza virus via finger contamination with respiratory mucus droplets has been hypothesized to contribute to transmission in the community. Under laboratory conditions, influenza-infected respiratory droplets were reconstituted as close as possible to natural conditions. We investigated experimentally the survival of influenza A (H3N2) and A (H1N1)pdm09 viruses on human fingers. Infectious virus was easily recoverable on all fingers 1 min after fingertip contamination but then decreased very rapidly. After 30 min, infectious virus was detectable in only a small minority of subjects. Infectious viruses were detected for a longer period of time when droplets of larger size containing a higher number of particles were tested or when the viral concentration increased. A rapid decrease in infectiousness was observed when droplet integrity was disrupted. Our findings could help to set up the promotion of hand hygiene to prevent influenza hand contamination.