How flu spreads through air, droplets, and surfaces
Evaluating Modes of Influenza Transmission using a Randomized Controlled Trial (EMIT-2-RCT)
This project compares whether influenza spreads mainly through the air, droplets, or contaminated surfaces to help protect adults.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of Maryland, College Park NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (College Park, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11103251 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You'll take part in a controlled experiment where adults interact under different ventilation and contact conditions while researchers collect breath samples, surface swabs, and clinical monitoring. The team uses a device called the Gesundheit-II to measure virus in exhaled breath and combines those measurements with surface and contact sampling. Participants are randomized to different room ventilation and contact scenarios so researchers can link exposure routes to who becomes infected and how sick they get. The overall aim is to show which routes and environmental factors most affect transmission risk.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults aged 21 and older who are willing to participate in controlled influenza exposure and monitoring at the study site.
Not a fit: People younger than 21, pregnant people, immunocompromised individuals, or those unable or unwilling to undergo controlled exposure and monitoring are unlikely to benefit from participation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to clearer guidance on ventilation, masks, and cleaning to reduce flu spread.
How similar studies have performed: Previous laboratory and smaller human studies have suggested infectious aerosols are important, but this randomized design to directly compare routes is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
College Park, United States
- Univ of Maryland, College Park — College Park, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Milton, Donald Kirby — Univ of Maryland, College Park
- Study coordinator: Milton, Donald Kirby
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.