Monitoring air for respiratory viruses in schools
Official title: Anticipating and rapidly responding to respiratory virus outbreaks with continuous air sampling in K-12 schools
Funded at University of Wisconsin-Madison · NIH-10997394 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at a way to check for respiratory viruses like COVID-19 and the flu in the air of K-12 schools, so we can find out when the risk of spreading these viruses is higher and help keep students safe and healthy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Wisconsin-Madison NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Madison, United States) |
| Project start | January 18, 2023 |
| Project end | December 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $774,809 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI170737-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10997394 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 0-11 years attending K-12 schools.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not in the K-12 age range or those not attending participating schools may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates a method for detecting respiratory viruses, specifically SARS-CoV-2 and influenza, in the air of K-12 schools. By placing air samplers in 16 schools, researchers will collect air samples twice a week throughout the school year. The goal is to determine if air sampling can effectively identify high-risk periods for virus transmission, potentially offering a simpler and more cost-effective surveillance strategy compared to individual testing. This approach aims to enhance safety and reduce absenteeism caused by respiratory illnesses in school settings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved monitoring of respiratory viruses in schools, helping to keep children safe and reduce illness-related absenteeism.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using air sampling for pathogen detection, suggesting that this approach could be effective in school settings.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Madison, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: O'connor, David H. — University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Study coordinator: O'connor, David H.
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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.