First discovered in 1953, human adenoviruses (Ad) are globally distributed and responsible for outbreaks of respiratory disease, conjunctivitis and childhood illnesses. Different Ad species are also responsible for recurring outbreaks of acute respiratory disease. Adenovirus serotype 14 (Ad14) is an emerging adenovirus that was responsible for cases of respiratory infection at the Air Force's only recruit training center, Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas, beginning in 2007. The 2007 outbreak alone cost the Air Force over 6,334 training days, $4.6 million, and multiple deaths. Conceptual MindWorks was contracted by the Air Force to conduct research to determine if the process for decontaminating recruit trainees' gas masks (which were suspected of being a possible source of the outbreak) was sufficient.