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In temperate climates, influenza predictably causes disease epidemics during winter months. In the tropics, seasonal outbreaks are not seen, the virus is detectable much of the year, and influenza illnesses do not correlate with rainfall amounts. Previous research using a guinea pig model of human influenza A virus infection demonstrated that aerosol transmission is most efficient at low temperatures (5°C) and low relative humidity (RH; 20%–35%), conditions that are typical during the winter months in temperate climates (JW Infect Dis Dec 5 2007). The same investigators now describe transmission studies conducted with guinea pigs under conditions mimicking tropical climates.
Influenza A virus was not transmissible by respiratory droplets at …