Some Evidence on Non-Transmissibility of Acute Upper Respiratory Disease and Related Matters

摘要

Acute upper respiratory tract infections account for a significant level of morbidity and sometimes mortality throughout the world. The reported incidence of morbidity ranges from 23 to 62% of the population being affected in any six month period. Such infections are mainly of viral origin, the principal viruses implicated being Influenza A, Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Parainfluenza, Adenovirus, Rhinovirus, Enterovirus, Coxsackie, and Echo virus. These viruses are isolated the world over and show well-defined patterns of global incidence. Despite a coordinated international endeavor directed at tracking down both the temporal and spatial behavior of such viruses, there seems at the present time to be little understanding with regard to their origin and mode of propagation. It is shown here that a wide range of observational data fit well to a model involving atmospheric incidence and transport of these viruses.