The new coronavirus is more likely to infect the human respiratory tract and eyes

University of Hong Kong School of Medicine announced on the 8th, its research team recently found that the new coronavirus is far more likely than the SARS virus to infect the human conjunctivitis and upper respiratory tract, and the eyes may be an important way for humans to infect the new crown pneumonia.Chen Zhiwei, an associate professor at the School of Public Health of the Hong Kong University School of Medicine, and his team compared the infection of the new coronavirus, SARS virus, H5N1 avian influenza virus, and the 2009 influenza A(H1N1) virus using human upper respiratory tract and eye tissue in the Level III Biosecurity Level Laboratory.The team found that the new coronavirus was far more susceptible to human conjunctivities and upper respiratory tract infections than the SARS virus, and that the level of infection was similar to that observed during the 2009 influenza A(H1N1) pandemic. In summary, this explains that the new coronavirus is more contagious than the SARS virus. Mr Chan said the study also showed that the eye could be an important route for humans to contract the new coronavirus.An earlier study by the team showed that the new coronavirus can survive for days on smooth surfaces such as stainless steel, glass and plastic. The study further suggests that infectious viruses can spread in this way if humans touch the surface of contaminated objects and wipe their eyes. Therefore, people should avoid touching their eyes with their hands in public places, and people should clean their hands regularly to prevent accidental transmission of the new coronavirus from contaminated surfaces to the eyes and nose.The findings have been published in the academic journal Lancet Respiratory Medicine. (
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