Exploration of Novel Surveillance Methodologies for Respiratory Viral Transmission

Abstract

Respiratory tract illnesses are a leading cause of disease burden worldwide. As evidenced by the impact of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, we must continue to develop and improve surveillance methodologies for the detection of respiratory viral transmission. Doing so will improve current detection of respiratory viral disease spread and will provide strategies for transmission mitigation in the face of novel respiratory viral disease threats. Within this thesis, I examine respiratory viral infections in a variety of settings including a college campus, an elementary-middle school, and within households, to better understand respiratory viral disease transmission among a variety of populations. As a result, I describe the pre-COVID epidemiological distribution of respiratory viral illnesses in a college setting, describe the implementation of an environmental surveillance framework for SARS-CoV-2 detection in a school setting, and describe the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 between household owners and their pets.