What if we could detect respiratory viruses circulating in your home before anyone gets sick? That’s what we hope to learn in a new study combining air sampling technology with community-based surveillance.
The Lungfish team is excited to partner with Jonathan Temte, MD, PhD, and Shari Barlow at the UW–Madison Department of Family Medicine to launch the ORCHARDS-AIR study (ORegon CHild Absenteeism due to Respiratory Disease Study–Air Surveillance). This study aims to identify families whose children report acute respiratory symptoms associated with respiratory viruses, including influenza and SARS-CoV-2, and to better understand how these viruses spread within homes using air sampling technology. Participants include students in the Oregon School District and their families.
Why Air Surveillance Matters
In a recent podcast, Temte and Barlow discussed how air surveillance could transform the way we detect and respond to respiratory infections.
First, air sampling may allow researchers to detect viruses before household members develop symptoms. Early detection could provide critical time to implement interventions and reduce further spread.
Second, measuring the genetic material of viruses collected from indoor air can help clarify how respiratory viruses are transmitted. By understanding when airborne transmission occurs and the best methods of detection, researchers can develop strategies to interrupt transmission early in an outbreak.
Building on a Strong Foundation
ORCHARDS-AIR builds on the success of the original ORCHARDS project, which ran from 2015 through 2024 and demonstrated the power of sustained, community-based surveillance. The original study generated important insights into how influenza spreads within households. ORCHARDS also identified an early documented case of household transmission during the initial stages of the COVID-19 pandemic and later provided evidence of reinfection from one SARS-CoV-2 variant to another. These findings underscore the value of tracking respiratory viruses in real-world settings over time.
Get Involved
ORCHARDS-AIR is currently underway through June 2026. Families interested in participating or anyone wanting to learn more are encouraged to visit the ORCHARDS website: https://www.fammed.wisc.edu/orchards/
This study represents an exciting step forward in our ability to understand and ultimately control the spread of respiratory infections in our communities.