An alternative method of measuring aerosol survival using spiders’ webs and its use for the filoviruses

Abstract Understanding the ability to survive in an aerosol leads to better understanding of the hazard posed by pathogenic organisms and can inform decisions related to the control and management of disease outbreaks. This basic survival information is sometimes lacking for high priority select agents such as the filoviruses which cause severe disease with high case fatality rates and can be acquired through the aerosol route. Microthreads in the form of spiders’ webs were used to capture aerosolised filoviruses, and the decay rates of Zaire ebolavirus and Marburgvirus were determined. Results were compared to data obtained using a Goldberg drum to measure survival as a dynamic aerosol. The two methods of obtaining aerostability information are compared.