Critical Infrastructure
- Food and Agriculture
- Public Health and Healthcare
- Banking and Finance
- Chemical and Hazardous Materials
- Defense Industrial Base
- Water
- Energy
- Emergency Services
- Information Technology
- Telecommunications
- Postal and Shipping
- Transportation
- National Monuments and Icons
How Influenza Can Spread Between People
Influenza is thought to be primarily spread through large droplets (droplet transmission) that directly contact the nose, mouth or eyes. These droplets are produced when infected people cough, sneeze or talk, sending the relatively large infectious droplets and very small sprays (aerosols) into the nearby air and into contact with other people. Large droplets can only travel a limited range; therefore, people should limit close contact (within 6 feet) with others when possible. To a lesser degree, human influenza is spread by touching objects contaminated with influenza viruses and then transferring the infected material from the hands to the nose, mouth or eyes. Influenza may also be spread by very small infectious particles (aerosols) traveling in the air. The contribution of each route of exposure to influenza transmission is uncertain at this time and may vary based upon the characteristics of the influenza strain.
