According to a report, more than 200 scientists tell the World Health Organization that there is growing evidence that the coronavirus may remain in the air in smaller particles, and may be infectious in smaller amounts than previously thought.
The 239 scientists from 32 countries are urging the UN agency to take the possibility of airborne spread more seriously, and are trying to raise awareness about it in a future document titled “Time to tackle transmission.” of Covid-19, “The Washington Post reported.
Scientists say the virus’s potential to spread through airborne transmission has not been fully appreciated even by public health institutions, including the WHO, which has faced criticism for its response to the pandemic, according to the newspaper.
In April, President Trump announced that he was freezing all new funding for WHO. In late May, he said the United States planned to withdraw from the agency.
The scientists’ article was shared with The Washington Post prior to publication this week in the journal Clinical Infectious Diseases.
The fact that they are seeking to pressure the WHO with a document is unusual, analysts told the media.
“The credibility of the WHO is being undermined through a steady trickle of confusing messages, including asymptomatic spread, wearing of masks and now transmission by air,” said Lawrence Gostin, professor of world health law at the Georgetown University, to The Washington Post.
Gostin, who provides technical assistance to WHO, praised him for organizing briefings and acknowledged that the agency is in a difficult situation because “it has to make recommendations for everyone and feels it needs irrefutable scientific evidence before reaching a conclusion ” “
But he warned that “the public, and even scientists, will lose full confidence in WHO without clearer technical guidance.”
A WHO spokesperson told the newspaper that the agency, which has repeatedly defended its handling of the outbreak, will have technical experts review the matter.
The WHO has said that COVID-19 is spread mainly from person to person through small drops from the nose or mouth, which are expelled when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or speaks.
The health agency said the evidence for the virus in the air was unconvincing, according to The New York Times.
“Especially in the past few months, we have been asserting several times that we consider airborne transmission to be possible, but it certainly is not supported by strong or even clear evidence,” said Dr. Benedetta Allegranzi, technical lead for prevention and control. of WHO infections. the newspaper.
“There is a strong debate on this,” he added.
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