Presence of Influenza Virus on Touch Surfaces in Kindergartens and Primary Schools

Abstract

Backgrounds: Influenza virus can survive on some surfaces, facilitating indirect person-to-person transmission.

Methods: We collected swab samples weekly from commonly touched surfaces in 7 kindergartens and primary schools during the 2017/2018 winter influenza season in Hong Kong.

Results: We detected influenza virus ribonucleic acid (RNA) in 12 of 1352 samples (<1%) collected from 7 of 11 classrooms (5 to 2 × 106 RNA copies/mL). Viral RNA was more frequently recovered from communal items inside classrooms such as bookshelves and doorknobs.

Conclusions: Surface contamination indicates the potential role of fomites in influenza virus transmission in schools. Communal items inside classrooms may cause greater potential risks of transmission during influenza epidemics.

Keywords: children; environment; influenza; school.