Effect of Ultra-Violet Irradiation of Classrooms on Spread of Mumps and Chickenpox in Large Rural Central Schools —A Progress Report

Bahlke, Anne M.; Silverman, Hilda Freeman; Ingraham, Hollis S.

doi:10.2105/ajph.39.10.1321

Cited by 20 publications

(22 citation statements)

References 1 publication

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…In existing studies, several other control strategies have been deployed to reduce the transmission risk of viral airborne diseases in indoor environments including facial mask protection [89,90], isolation [91,92], surface disinfection [93,94], and ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) [44,45,[95][96][97][98], as well as to increase the immunity of individuals by post-exposure prophylaxis after they are exposed to the infection [99]. Exploring the impacts of these control strategies was out of the scope of this study because:…”

Section: Using Air Purifiers In Classroomsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Estimating the nationwide transmission risk of measles in US schools and impacts of vaccination and supplemental infection control strategies

et al. 2020

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background: The spread of airborne infectious diseases such as measles is a critical public health concern. The U.S. was certified measles-free in 2000, but the number of measles cases has increased in recent years breaking the record of the nationwide annual number of cases since 1992. Although the characteristics of schools have made them one of the most vulnerable environments during infection outbreaks, the transmission risk of measles among students is not completely understood. We aimed to evaluate how three factors influence measles transmission in schools: personal (vaccination), social (compartmentalizing), and building systems (ventilation, purification, and filtration). Methods: We used a combination of a newly developed multi-zone transient Wells-Riley approach, a nationwide representative School Building Archetype (SBA) model, and a Monte-Carlo simulation to estimate measles risk among U.S. students. We compared our risk results with the range of reported transmission rates of measles in school outbreaks to validate the risk model. We also investigated the effectiveness of vaccination and ten supplemental infection control scenarios for reducing the risk of measles transmission among students. Results: Our best nationwide estimate of measles transmission risk in U.S. schools were 3.5 and 32% among all (both unvaccinated and immunized) and unvaccinated students, respectively. The results showed the transmission risk of measles among unvaccinated students is > 70 times higher than properly immunized ones. We also demonstrated that the transmission risk of measles in primary schools (assuming teacher self-contained classrooms) is less than secondary schools (assuming departmentalized systems). For building-level interventions, schools with ductless-with-air-filter and ductless-without-air-filter systems have the lowest and highest transmission risks of measles, respectively. Finally, our simulation showed that infection control strategies could cut the average number of infected cases among all students in half when a combination of advanced air filtration, ventilation, and purification was adopted in the modeled schools. Conclusions: Our results highlight the primary importance of vaccination for reducing the risk of measles transmission among students. Yet, additional and significant risk reduction can be achieved through compartmentalizing students and enhancing building ventilation and filtration systems.

show abstract

Section: Using Air Purifiers In Classroomsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Estimating the nationwide transmission risk of measles in US schools and impacts of vaccination and supplemental infection control strategies

et al. 2020

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…The first 10 indicated that the velocity of spread of measles among pupils of irradiated classrooms was remarkably slowed down even though the total number of cases was not observed to be diminished. A subsequent report 11 from the same schools on the irradiation in chickenpox and mumps also suggested a slower velocity of spread. Furthermore, the incidence of each disease over a 4 year period was lower among pupils in irradiated classrooms.…”

Section: -A-ultra-violet Irradiationmentioning

confidence: 88%

Air Sanitation (Progress in the Control of Air-Borne Infections)

Langmuir¹,

Ingraham²,

Brandt³

et al. 1950

Am J Public Health Nations Health

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

“…78,91 There are several reasons why this occurred. The inability to reproduce the success of Wells in preventing the spread of measles, [92][93][94][95] along with other failures, [96][97][98][99][100] engendered broad disillusionment with UVGI. Around the same time, antibiotics were developed to treat TB, and there was hope that common viral illnesses could be controlled by immunization.…”

Section: Disillusionment Resurgence and The Current State Of Uvgi Amentioning

confidence: 99%

The History of Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation for Air Disinfection

2010

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Public health concerns such as multi- and extensive drug-resistant tuberculosis, bioterrorism, pandemic influenza, and severe acute respiratory syndrome have intensified efforts to prevent transmission of infections that are completely or partially airborne using environmental controls. One such control, ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI), has received renewed interest after decades of underutilization and neglect. With renewed interest, however, come renewed questions, especially regarding efficacy and safety. There is a long history of investigations concluding that, if used properly, UVGI can be safe and highly effective in disinfecting the air, thereby preventing transmission of a variety of airborne infections. Despite this long history, many infection control professionals are not familiar with the history of UVGI and how it has, and has not, been used safely and effectively. This article reviews that history of UVGI for air disinfection, starting with its biological basis, moving to its application in the real world, and ending with its current status.

show abstract

Effect of Ultra-Violet Irradiation of Classrooms on Spread of Mumps and Chickenpox in Large Rural Central Schools —A Progress Report

Cited by 20 publications

References 1 publication

Estimating the nationwide transmission risk of measles in US schools and impacts of vaccination and supplemental infection control strategies

Estimating the nationwide transmission risk of measles in US schools and impacts of vaccination and supplemental infection control strategies

Air Sanitation (Progress in the Control of Air-Borne Infections)

The History of Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation for Air Disinfection

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About