On 17 April 2021 a scientific study published in the lancet has revaled that the that the SARS – Cov-2 virus is primarily transmitted through the air born route.

Since last year a lot of theories have floated about the routes of transmission of the virus, but non of the research studies were conclusive.

Also, fear of its spreading through touch had led governments to lay down protocols to solid surfaces.

Six experts from the UK, US and Canada identified ten streams of evidence that led to the conclusion that SARS-Cov-2 primarily transmits through the air born route.

Also report said, Super spreading events may be the primary drivers of the Covid-19 pandemic and account for substantial SARS-Cov-2 transmission.

Although detailed analyses of human behaviour and other variables in concerts, cruice ships etc have shown pattern which are consistent with air born spread of SARS-Cov-2 that cannot be adequately explained by droplet or fomites.

What is difference between Air born and Droplets infection

Droplets infection

Droplets transmission occurs when bacteria or viruses travel on relatively large respiratory droplets when people sneeze, cough or exhale. And viruses through droplets travel only for short distances usually less than two meters before settling.

These droplets may be loaded with infectious particles and can infect another person if the bacteria or virus contact their eyes, nose and mouth.

Air born transmission

Air born transmission occurs when bacteria or viruses travel in droplet nuclei that becomes aerolized (suspend in air).

Healthy people can inhale the infectious droplets nuclei into their lungs that infect people.

They may also fall on surfaces and then be transferred on to someone’s hand who then rub their eyes, nose and mouth.

What lancet report has said:

Large range transmission of SARS-Cov-2 has been documented between people in adjacent rooms in quarantine hotels.

However such transmission has not been seen between people in each other’s presence.

Asymptomatic or per-symptomatic transmission from people who are not coughing or sneezing account for one third to 59 % of all transmission globally.

This indicates that may be air born spread of the virus occurs in across the world. Higher transmission of SARS-Cov-2 indoors than out doors.

Transmission rate is slowed down by indoor ventilation, new infection have been reported in healthcare organisation where have been strict contact and droplet precaution use of PPE designed to protect against droplets but not aerosol exposure.

The expert cited studies involving infected caged animals that shows transmission of SARS-Cov-2 via an air duct.

Another argument of the expert was that no study to our knowledge provided strong or consistent evidence to reflect the hypothesis of air born SARS-Cov-2 transmission.

Their final argument was that there was limited evidenced to support other dominant route of transmission i.e. respiratory droplet or fomite.