Why a few people spread flu far: biology, speech, and the air we share
New research shows that flu outbreaks are often driven by a small minority of people whose high viral loads, particle types, and behaviors—like loud speech and heavy breathing—combine with environmental factors (dry air, poor ventilation) to boost transmission. Factors such as stage of infection, lung capacity, mucus properties, and social context determine who becomes a superspreader, suggesting that biology and behavior together shape who—and where—an outbreak escalates.
