The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the dangers of airborne pathogen transmission. SARS-CoV-2 is known to be transmitted through aerosols; however, little is known about the dynamics of these aerosols in real environments, the conditions, and the minimum viral load required for infection. Efficiently measuring and capturing pathogens present in the air would help to understand the infection process. Air samplers usually take several hours to obtain an air sample. In this work a fast (1-2 min) method for capturing bioaerosols into a liquid medium has been tested in hospital rooms with COVID-19 patients. This fast sampling allows detecting transient levels of aerosols in the air. SARS-CoV-2 RNA is detected in aerosols from several hospital rooms at different levels. Interestingly, there are sudden boosts of the SARS-CoV-2 load in the air, suggesting that SARS-CoV-2 could be released abundantly at certain moments. These results show that the distribution of SARS-CoV-2-containing aerosols is not homogeneous in the hospital room. This technology is a fast and effective tool for capturing airborne matter in a very short time, which allows for fast decision-making any kind of hazard in the air is detected. It is also useful for a better understanding of aerosols dynamics., This study was funded partially by European Union HORIZON EUROPE grant 101084097
and grant 101073899, H2020 INNO4COV19 grant 101016203 to José Luis Pérez-Díaz and by Nextgeneration
EU, and Consejo Superior de Investigaciones to Antonio Alcamí., Peer reviewed

The respiratory system is equipped with several defence mechanisms to protect the body from microorganisms and airborne pathogens. There are situations where the respiratory system can be overwhelmed or compromised and infection happens, especially in individuals with weakened immune systems. Airborne pathogens are a serious risk for human and animal health, as exemplified by the challenges faced during the COVID-19 pandemic. The list includes viruses of varying severity such as Influenza virus, SARS-CoV-2, measles virus, Varicella-Zoster Virus, or Respiratory syncytial virus among others. Smaller particles can remain suspended in the air for longer periods and may reach the lower respiratory tract, including the alveoli in the lungs. The real-time detection of these pathogens in the air presents a significant challenge. The aerosols, especially those carrying viruses, are so small that they often elude conventional air samplers, making it difficult both to detect their presence and to remove them effectively from the air. This work introduces a recent technique designed for rapid aerosol sampling, with a particular emphasis on virus sampling. The system underwent calibration using artificial ɸ29 virus aerosols and was subsequently tested with naturally emitted aerosols of SARS-CoV-2. A series of tests were conducted in diverse settings, including hospitals, farms, offices, and railway cars. The equipment is also capable of swiftly removing bioaerosols from the air, thereby facilitating effective decontamination. The relevance of this technology lies in its capability for swift detection and elimination of viruses and other kinds of aerosols from air, facilitating prompt decision-making during high-risk events., This work has received funding from EU Horizon Europe under HE-FARM project with Grant number 101084097, H2020 INNO4COV19 grant 101016203, and Nextgeneration EU, and from Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (PTI Salud Global).

European Commission

Bacterial genera present in several areas of a pig farm were analyzed using high-throughput sequencing techniques. Samples were collected from the skin and feces of animals, as well as from surfaces, water, and air. The analyses revealed a strong correlation between air and skin samples, supporting the idea that bacterial growth on skin is potentially a mechanism of aerosolization and airborne transport. A water?air transmission route also appears to be present, although the direction of the transport mechanism cannot yet be determined. Other potential routes, such as contact with surfaces or feces, seem to be less efficient., European Commission

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the dangers of airborne pathogen transmission. SARS-CoV-2 is known to be transmitted through aerosols; however, little is known about the dynamics of these aerosols in real environments, the conditions, and the minimum viral load required for infection. Efficiently measuring and capturing pathogens present in the air would help to understand the infection process. Air samplers usually take several hours to obtain an air sample. In this work a fast (1?2 min) method for capturing bioaerosols into a liquid medium has been tested in hospital rooms with COVID-19 patients. This fast sampling allows detecting transient levels of aerosols in the air. SARS-CoV-2 RNA is detected in aerosols from several hospital rooms at different levels. Interestingly, there are sudden boosts of the SARS-CoV-2 load in the air, suggesting that SARS-CoV-2 could be released abundantly at certain moments. These results show that the distribution of SARS-CoV-2-containing aerosols is not homogeneous in the hospital room. This technology is a fast and effective tool for capturing airborne matter in a very short time, which allows for fast decision-making any kind of hazard in the air is detected. It is also useful for a better understanding of aerosols dynamics., European Commission

European Commission

The respiratory system is equipped with several defence mechanisms to protect the body from microorganisms and airborne pathogens. There are situations where the respiratory system can be overwhelmed or compromised and infection happens, especially in individuals with weakened immune systems. Airborne pathogens are a serious risk for human and animal health, as exemplified by the challenges faced during the COVID-19 pandemic. The list includes viruses of varying severity such as Influenza virus, SARS-CoV-2, measles virus, Varicella-Zoster Virus, or Respiratory syncytial virus among others. Smaller particles can remain suspended in the air for longer periods and may reach the lower respiratory tract, including the alveoli in the lungs. The real-time detection of these pathogens in the air presents a significant challenge. The aerosols, especially those carrying viruses, are so small that they often elude conventional air samplers, making it difficult both to detect their presence and to remove them effectively from the air. This work introduces a recent technique designed for rapid aerosol sampling, with a particular emphasis on virus sampling. The system underwent calibration using artificial ɸ29 virus aerosols and was subsequently tested with naturally emitted aerosols of SARS-CoV-2. A series of tests were conducted in diverse settings, including hospitals, farms, offices, and railway cars. The equipment is also capable of swiftly removing bioaerosols from the air, thereby facilitating effective decontamination. The relevance of this technology lies in its capability for swift detection and elimination of viruses and other kinds of aerosols from air, facilitating prompt decision-making during high-risk events., European Commission

Background Ongoing global changes are strongly impacting the distribution and incidence of vector-borne diseases (VBD) affecting both humans and animals. Livestock production is a cornerstone of the economy and food security of many countries, notably in Europe, and VBD represent a major constraint on its development. Furthermore, domestic animals can serve as reservoirs for zoonotic agents, highlighting the need for a One Health approach to anticipate and control VBD. However, research on livestock-associated vectors in Europe, particularly mosquitoes and stable flies at farm level, remains limited. Although ticks are recognized as the most important vectors in Europe, comparative studies between countries and host animal species are still scarce. On the basis of vector presence, this study assesses the entomological risk for livestock on seven farms located in two European countries, Spain and Hungary, characterized by contrasting climates and husbandry practices. Methods During spring 2023 and 2024, as well as autumn 2023, three groups of arthropods, mosquitoes, ticks, and stable flies were collected from seven cattle, sheep, and pig farms in Spain and Hungary. Environmental, climatic, and meteorological data, together with information on management practices and animal characteristics, were collected on-site and obtained from local databases. Results A total of 1432 mosquitoes, 345 ticks, and 1266 stable flies were collected and identified to species level, representing 37 species in total: 30 mosquito species, 6 tick species, and 1 stable fly species. Among these, 16 species are recognized vectors of pathogens. Hungary consistently exhibited higher arthropod abundance across all groups. Mosquito diversity was also greater in Hungary, with 21 species dominated by Aedes vexans and Culex pipiens pipiens, whereas in Spain, 13 species were recorded, mainly Culex theileri and Anopheles atroparvus. Four tick species were identified in Hungary (Ixodes ricinus, Haemaphysalis concinna, Dermacentor marginatus, Dermacentor reticulatus) while two species were collected in Spain (Hyalomma lusitanicum and Rhipicephalus bursa). The stable flies Stomoxys calcitrans was the only species present in Europe and accounted for all specimens collected, 99% of which were found in Hungary. Seasonal patterns showed spring peaks for mosquitoes and stable flies, and summer/autumn peaks for ticks in Hungary. Conclusions The originality of this study lies in its multi-vector description of three arthropod communities associated with three livestock species (cattle, sheep, pigs) on farms located in two European countries with contrasting environments and climates. The study demonstrated the coexistence of 16 arthropod species of veterinary and public health relevance in the surveyed farms. Their diversity and abundance were influenced by geographical contrasts between Mediterranean and Central European climates, as well as environmental characteristics, livestock species,and management practices. These findings provide updated information on the diversity of arthropod vectors present on livestock farms, regardless of production type, and highlighted the need for enhanced vector surveillance in livestock systems, which accounts for environmental, farming, and anthropogenic factors. Such efforts are essential to anticipate VBD emergence driven by invasive vectors and circulating pathogens, mitigate impacts on animal health and productivity, and address interconnected risks to both human and animal populations. Keywords Arthropod vectors, Mosquitoes, Ticks, Stable flies, Livestock, Farms, Europe, Horizon Europe. European Commission