ABSTRACT Respiratory viruses such as SARS-CoV-2 are transmitted in respiratory droplets and aerosol particles, which are released during talking, breathing, coughing, and sneezing. Noncontact transmission of SARS-CoV-2 has been demonstrated, suggesting transmission via virus carried through the air. Here, we demonstrate that golden Syrian hamsters produce infectious SARS-CoV-2 in aerosol particles prior to and concurrent with the onset of mild clinical signs of disease. The average emission rate in this study was 25 infectious virions/hour on days 1 and 2 postinoculation, with average viral RNA levels 200-fold higher than infectious virus in aerosol particles. The majority of virus was contained within particles <5 μm in size. Thus, we provide direct evidence that, in hamsters, SARS-CoV-2 is an airborne virus.
【저자키워드】 coronavirus, Transmission, animal models, 【초록키워드】 viruses, SARS-CoV-2, hamsters, breathing, virus, Particle, respiratory viruses, Viral, Mild, Clinical signs, Viral RNA, hamster, respiratory, disease, Evidence, Infectious virus, Respiratory droplets, Particles, hour, average, coughing, sneezing, transmission of SARS-CoV-2, Clinical sign, respiratory droplet, carried, transmitted, majority, demonstrated, released, 【제목키워드】 SARS-CoV-2, aerosol, Particle,