Airborne and Emerging Infectious Diseases

Abstract Airborne transmission of infections pathogens can occur in a wide range of occupational settings. Tuberculosis is a particular concern for personnel in health care and allied fields. The risk from exposure to infectious aerosols or droplet nuclei depends in part on characteristics of the source, the pathogen, and the aerosol droplets, as well as host susceptibility. The movement of infectious droplets is determined by their size and the flow of air. Many pathogens that are not classically airborne can be transmitted via aerosols under certain circumstances. Special consideration should be given to workers with immune impairment, who may be at higher risk of infection. Emerging pathogens that are not airborne but have had recent and significant public health consequences are also discussed.