We know the contents of the article and are currently being reviewed by our experts
Geneva / Chicago (ANTARA) – The World Health Organization (WHO) reviews recent research reports showing evidence of a new type of corona virus (SARS-CoV-2), the cause of COVID-19, which can be transmitted through the air.
After the results of the study were published, more than 200 scientists sent a letter to WHO asking the agency to immediately update the health protocol to prevent COVID-19.
The WHO says SARS-CoV-2 is transmitted via respiratory fluid from the infected person’s nose and mouth. The liquid droplets also quickly fell to the ground.
However, through an open letter sent to WHO, Monday (6/7), in the journal “Clinical Infectious Diseases”, 239 researchers from 32 countries underline the evidence that viruses that float in air particles can attack people while breathing.
Therefore, researchers urge WHO to update their health guidelines.
“We know the contents of the article and are currently being reviewed by our experts,” WHO spokesman Pull Jasarevic said on Monday by e-mail.
So far it is unclear how likely it is that COVID-19 can be transmitted via air.
If WHO changes the risk assessment, it will change the recommended distance of one meter (3.3 feet). Authorities in many countries that depend on WHO recommendations are likely to change their policies to suppress the spread of COVID-19.
Although WHO had considered the possibility of airborne transmission, the agency was not convinced by the available evidence.
Infectious disease expert from the University of Minnesota, Dr. Michael Osterholm said the WHO was reluctant to admit the transmission of influenza viruses via air, despite “strong data”. The controversy also aroused debate among experts.
“I think the level of frustration is quite high considering the air also plays a role in transmitting diseases such as influenza and SARS-CoV-2,” Osterholm said.
Meanwhile, Professor Babak Javid, an infectious disease consultant from Cambridge University Hospital, said airborne virus transmission was possible, but evidence showing how long the virus remained in the air was lacking.
If the virus can stay in the air for a long time, even after an infected person leaves a certain room, the findings will have an impact on the steps that health workers and others must take to protect themselves.
Health guidelines released by WHO for health workers on June 29 said that SARS-CoV-2 is generally transmitted via respiratory fluids and on the surface of goods.
However, transmission of the virus via air in some situations may occur, for example when installing breathing apparatus (intubation) and other procedures that cause air flow, WHO said. The World Health Organization also recommends that health workers wear N95 masks and other personal protective equipment when carrying out such procedures. WHO also recommends that the procedure be carried out in a well-ventilated room.
An epidemiologist from Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, Dr. William Hanage, said the report still being evaluated by the WHO “contains a lot of plausible information related to evidence that transmission (via air, red) was possible, and the findings need to be taken seriously”.
But it is still unclear how often transmission via air occurs.
“If airborne transmission is possible, but it still rarely happens, then removing (it is likely, red) will not have a big impact (on the control of the plague, red),” he said by electronic mail.
Officials at the South Korea Disease Control Center said Monday they were still discussing a number of issues related to COVID-19, including the possibility of airborne transmission. The party explained that they still needed to investigate and see other evidence.
Source: Reuters
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Translator: Genta Tenri Mawangi
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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