Viruses

Why sample for COVID-19 in the indoor environment? Limited recent study of surface viability of the COVID-19 virus indicates that it can remain detectable on different types of materials for several hours to days. According to the CDC, the COVID-19 viral RNA was detected for up to 17 days on surfaces within enclosed areas containing […]

SARS-CoV-2 transmission The COVID-19 virus is mainly thought to be transmitted between people through large respiratory droplets during close contact, and is not generally thought to move greater distances on fine particles (1). Aerosols arising from the respiratory tract are often distinguished as either droplets or airborne particles. This categorical distinction is arbitrary, and instead […]

Eastern equine encephalitis is a rare mosquito-transmitted human illness caused by the Togavirus, Eastern Equine Encephalitis virus (EEEv). It is closely related to Western- and Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis viruses. In North America, EEEv occurs mainly in the coastal region of eastern Canada and along the Atlantic and Gulf coast in the US. Natural transmission takes […]

West Nile Virus (WNv) is a flavivirus that in infected humans causes head- and body aches, fever, skin rash and swollen lymph nodes. More serious effects occur if the virus crosses the blood-brain barrier. This event leads to development of encephalomyelitis and possibly to death. Mosquitoes that feed on infected blood from birds may become […]