Coronavirus Transmission: Can Mosquitoes Spread COVID-19?
26 August 2020
NSW, Sydney
Coronavirus Transmission: Can Mosquitoes Spread COVID-19?
While coronavirus cases appear to be slowing down in many parts of the world, many still fear that the situation could get worse considering the absence of vaccine or cure at present. Since the novel coronavirus is also relatively new, scientists have yet to fully determine its true nature and idiosyncrasies. Because of this, many people are still not sure how COVID-19 is really transmitted.
Per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the novel coronavirus mainly spreads from person to person through contact with respiratory droplets. People can get infected once these droplets from COVID-19 patients enter their lungs by ingestion or inhalation.
However, CDC also indicated that the novel coronavirus can also spread in other ways, such as “by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching [one’s] mouth, nose, or possibly one’s eyes.” Even though this may not be COVID-19’s main mode of transmission, the CDC is still trying to learn more and understand if this could be contributing to the spread of the virus amid the pandemic.
The CDC also pointed out that COVID-19 can spread between animals and people in certain instances. Apparently, there’s a small number of pets worldwide that’s been reportedly infected with the novel coronavirus. In April, a North Carolina pug and two New York cats tested positive for coronavirus, alarming many pet owners.
Since scientists are still in the process of establishing how the coronavirus spreads, many questions about its transmission remain unanswered. Now that the weather is starting to get warmer, there’s growing concern about whether or not organisms like mosquitoes can carry the COVID-19-causing virus.
According to mindbodygreen.com, CDC still has no data to establish that the novel coronavirus can be transmitted by mosquitoes and ticks. On the other hand, Alberta’s chief medical officer of health Deena Hinshaw recently took to Twitter to quash the circulating belief that mosquitoes can spread the coronavirus. “To date, there is no information or evidence that suggests COVID-19 is transmitted by mosquitoes,” she wrote in a message on Twitter.
Dr. Hinshaw’s tweet is actually a reiteration of the statement issued by the World Health Organization (WHO) on the matter. The full statement reads:
“To date, there has been no information nor evidence to suggest that the new coronavirus could be transmitted by mosquitoes. The new coronavirus is a respiratory virus which spreads primarily through droplets generated when an infected person coughs or sneezes, or through droplets of saliva or discharge from the nose. To protect yourself, clean your hands frequently with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water. Also, avoid close contact with anyone who is coughing and sneezing.”
