Topic：Perspective and Challenges in Post-pandemic Era as Seen From Airborne Transmission of Respiratory Pathogens
Speaker：Wang, Chia-Chen Associate Professor(Department of Chemistry, National Sun Yat-Sen University
Time：May 19, 2022 1:30-3:00 pm
Venue： Lecture Hall Ⅳ at College of Medicine
Abstract：
Over the last century and at the beginning of this pandemic, it was widely believed that respiratory viruses, including SARS-CoV-2, mainly spread through droplets produced in coughs and sneezes of infected individuals or through touching contaminated surfaces. However, droplet and fomite transmission of SARS-CoV-2 fails to account for the numerous superspreading events observed during the COVID-19 pandemic, or the much higher transmission that occurs indoors versus. outdoors. Two years through the pandemic, there is sufficient evidence accumulated corroborating that airborne transmission is the primary mode of transmission, not the conventionally perceived droplet or fomite transmission, and a paradigm revision is essential to effectively block the airborne transmission. In this talk, I will address the history of our understanding on the transmission pathways of respiratory pathogens, the scientific basis of airborne transmission of respiratory pathogens and effective precautionary measures to mitigate the risk of airborne transmission. Finally, I will address, from the perspective of environmental medicine, the crucial challenges that mankind is facing to facilitate the paradigm shift in disease control and prevention guidelines, and to assure clean and pathogen-free air for decades to come.