Focus: GS-III Science and Technology
Why in news?
A study has found evidence that confirms vertical transmission of SARS-CoV-2 virus from the mother to the foetus.
What is said regarding the transmission so far?
- Transmission through droplets and contact with contaminated surfaces seem to be the major routes of novel coronavirus spread.
- The World Health Organization recently acknowledged that “short-range aerosol transmission” of the virus (i.e., airborne spread) “cannot be ruled out” in specific indoor locations which are crowded, inadequately ventilated and where exposure to the infected person is over a prolonged period of time.
Details
- The Study found that the virus first occurs in the mother’s blood and later causes placental infection and inflammation.
- The virus then gets into the blood of the neonate following placental infection.
- The neonate also showed clinical manifestation of COVID-19 in terms of neurological signs and symptoms.
- To confirm infection in the newborn, the researchers collected blood and bronchoalveolar lavage samples soon after birth and tested them for the virus, both of which tested positive.
Click Here to read more about WHO on Airborne Spread of Coronavirus
-Source: The Hindu
