Household Observation Study

Non-influenza respiratory viruses are responsible for a substantial burden of disease in the United States. In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, contactless surveillance methods are of particular importance. From 2019-2021, households in the Seattle area were remotely monitored in a prospective longitudinal study for symptoms of respiratory viral illness. Enrolled participants reported weekly symptoms and submitted respiratory samples by mail in the event of an acute respiratory illness (ARI). Specimens were tested for fourteen viruses, including SARS-CoV-2, using RT-PCR. Participants completed all study procedures at home without physical contact with research staff. This study highlighted the circulation of respiratory viruses within households during the winter months during the emergence of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Contactless methods of recruitment, enrollment and sample collection were utilized throughout this study, and demonstrated the feasibility of home-based, remote monitoring for respiratory infections. 

Additionally, our group designed and led a clinical trial of home-based antigen testing for influenza and home-based antiviral delivery, which provided the groundwork for much of the knowledge around remote treatment for respiratory viral infections that is now in place for SARS-CoV-2. We also recently completed a study in a public school district to understand the impact of regular testing on mitigation of transmission of respiratory viruses. 

Publications

Emanuels A, et al. Remote Household Observation for Non-influenza Respiratory Viral Illness. Clin Infect Dis. 2020 Nov 17. 

Murray AF, et al. School-Based Surveillance of Respiratory Pathogens on "High-Touch" Surfaces. Front Pediatr. 2021 Jun. 

Heimonen J, et al. A remote household-based approach to influenza self-testing and antiviral treatment. Influenza Other Respir Viruses. 2021 Jul. 

Ko LK, Tingey L, Ramirez M, Pablo E, Grass R, Larzelere F, Cisneros O, Chu HY, D'Agostino EM. Mobilizing Established School Partnerships to Reach Underserved Children During a Global Pandemic. Pediatrics. 2022 Feb 1.

Bennett JC, Emanuels A, Heimonen J, O'Hanlon J, Hughes JP, Han PD, Chow EJ, Ogokeh CE, Rolfes MA, Lockwood CM, Pfau B, Uyeki TM, Shendure J, Hoag S, Fay K, Lee J, Sibley TR, Rogers JH, Starita LM, Englund JA, Chu HY. Streptococcus pneumoniae nasal carriage patterns with and without common respiratory virus detections in households in Seattle, WA, USA before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Front Pediatr. 2023.

Moore TP, Bennett JC, Graff K, Rao M, Augusto O, Chu HY, Wagenaar BH, Bell TR. State Policy Removing the Personal Belief Exemption for Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) School Immunization Requirement, Washington State, 2014-2022. Am J Public Health. 2023 Jul.

Heimonen J, Chow EJ, Wang Y, Hughes JP, Rogers J, Emanuels A, O'Hanlon J, Han PD, Wolf CR, Logue JK, Ogokeh CE, Rolfes MA, Uyeki TM, Starita L, Englund JA, Chu HY. Risk of Subsequent Respiratory Virus Detection After Primary Virus Detection in a Community Household Study - King County, Washington 2019-2021. J Infect Dis. 2023 Aug 2.

Funding

Centers for Disease Control, Gates Ventures