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Feasibility of studying respiratory infection transmission in a Swiss household cohort: Findings from the BEready (“Bern, get ready”) study

International Journal of Infectious Diseases·July 29Open Access
Infectious DiseasesLimited evidenceCOVID-19InfluenzaRespiratory Syncytial Virus InfectionRespiratory Virus InfectionRhinovirus InfectionProspective Cohort Study (Pilot)Multiplex PCR DiagnosticsTelemedicineMixed

Summary

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What was studied

This pilot study tested whether decentralized self-sampling for respiratory viruses, online questionnaires, and telemedicine were feasible in the BEready household cohort in Switzerland (May 2023–September 2024), enrolling 108 households (161 adults, 32 children, 29 cats, 15 dogs).

Key findings

78 of 108 households reported 152 disease events; valid sample return rates were 70% (131/188) for index cases and 69% (105/152) for household contacts, but only 51% (24/47) for pets. PCR positivity was 63% (82/131) among index cases and 23% (24/105) among human household contacts.

Study limitations

Pilot study with a small, likely self-selected cohort; pet sample return was low (51%), limiting zoonotic transmission analysis; the study period covered a single non-pandemic season, so generalizability to outbreak conditions is uncertain.

Clinical implications

Household-based decentralized self-sampling for respiratory viruses is operationally feasible and could serve as a ready-made infrastructure for rapid data collection during future pandemics such as H5N1. Clinicians and public health planners should note that pet sampling remains a weak link requiring protocol improvement.

Related Questions

Explore related topics

How do household transmission studies design self-sampling protocols for respiratory viruses?What is the secondary attack rate for influenza and SARS-CoV-2 in household cohorts?How should clinicians prepare household surveillance infrastructure for an H5N1 pandemic?

Publication Details

Year
2026
Journal
International Journal of Infectious Diseases
Sample Size
n=193
Source
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