WHO Redefines Airborne Disease Transmission Post-COVID

The World Health Organization and 500 experts have defined what it means for a disease to spread through the air, aiming to prevent confusion and improve prevention strategies for diseases like measles and future pandemics. The new definition moves away from past debates over "droplets" versus "aerosols" and considers the risk of exposure and disease severity. This development follows criticism of the WHO's early response to COVID-19, with experts emphasizing the importance of ventilation in addition to measures like handwashing. The agreed-upon definition is expected to facilitate discussions on ventilation in various settings and improve disease prevention practices.