Infectious Respiratory Particles

• 22 Apr 2024

Source: TH

The World Health Organization (WHO) has introduced a standardised term, 'infectious respiratory particles' (IRPs), to describe pathogens transmitted through the air.

• This move aims to unify terminology across sectors, enhancing scientific and policy guidance while improving public communication regarding respiratory infections like Covid-19, Influenza, measles, Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), and tuberculosis (TB).
• The WHO's clarification distinguishes IRPs from previously used terms like 'aerosols' and 'droplets,' emphasising a continuum of particle sizes.