Animal tests made by Chinese researchers show the new coronavirus can likely be transmitted via the ocular conjunctival route. After seven days of observation, sampling and anatomical analysis, it was found that all three monkeys were infected with the virus. The test results showed that the ocular conjunctival infection route is different from the respiratory route, and that it is a relatively independent transmission route. Research on 1,099 new coronavirus patients in 552 hospitals across 30 provinces of the Chinese mainland in January showed that nine patients (0.8 percent of the total) developed conjunctival hyperemia. Qin's team said they hope to raise awareness, particularly among medical staff, of the possibility of coronavirus infection through the ocular conjunctival route.

Source: The Standard March 17, 2020 06:00 UTC