14.12.2012

Ypma et al (2012) J Infect Dis

This study provides statistical evidence that the direction of spread of avian influenza A(H7N7) is correlated with the direction of wind at date of infection. The researchers find the direction of spread by reconstructing the transmission tree for a large outbreak in the Netherlands in 2003, using detailed genetic and epidemiological data. The study conservatively estimate the contribution of a possible wind-mediated mechanism to the total amount of spread during this outbreak to be around 18%.