In the News
HKU study says coronavirus is more infectious through the eyes and airways than SARS
A key entry point for the coronavirus into humans is through the eyes, according to HKU research which found the strain was up to 100 times more infectious than SARS and bird flu.
The research team culture tissues from the human respiratory tract and eyes in the laboratory and applied them to study the SARS-Cov-2, comparing it with SARS and H5N1. They found that SARS-Cov-2 is much more efficient in infecting the human conjunctiva and the upper respiratory airways than Sars.
The study reinforces advice to public not to touch their eyes and wash hands regularly.
