Research in monkeys indicates development of immunity

17 March 2020, 08:59 AM

And why touching your eyes should be avoided.

quote:
Scientists who infected monkeys with the coronavirus that causes Covid-19 have found that those that recovered developed effective immunity from the disease – a potentially important discovery in the race to develop a vaccine.

But the researchers also found that the animals could become infected through their eyes, which means wearing a face mask may not be enough to protect people from the disease.

Scientists around the world have been racing to develop a vaccine and the first clinical trials could be held in China and the US within a month.

But a number of cases, where people who had tested negative for the disease and were discharged from hospital only to give a positive result a few days later, have cast doubt on the process.

Rhesus monkeys were infected with Covid-19 as part of the experiment.

Scientists who infected monkeys with the coronavirus that causes Covid-19 have found that those that recovered developed effective immunity from the disease – a potentially important discovery in the race to develop a vaccine.

But the researchers also found that the animals could become infected through their eyes, which means wearing a face mask may not be enough to protect people from the disease.

Scientists around the world have been racing to develop a vaccine and the first clinical trials could be held in China and the US within a month.

But a number of cases, where people who had tested negative for the disease and were discharged from hospital only to give a positive result a few days later, have cast doubt on the process.

The rate of reoccurrence ranged from 0.1 to 1 per cent nationwide, according to China’s state media reports. However, in some provinces such as Guangdong up to 14 per cent of the discharged patients had reportedly returned to hospital because of the test results.

If it turns out that these patients had been reinfected by the same virus, then vaccines will not prove effective.

But the monkey experiment carried out by a team from the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences may help dispel that fear.

Details here:

https://www.scmp.com/news/chin...nese-scientists-find

17 March 2020, 10:58 AM

QuirtEvans

It's also possible the testing is faulty. And they weren't fully recovered yet. It supposedly can take up to six weeks to get healthy, and maybe it's really longer than that.

17 March 2020, 11:20 AM

pianojuggler

I have one eye that just tears continuously and I wipe it with my finger several times an hour. I need to figure out how to stop that.

But what worries me more is our nocturnal habits. How do you keep from touching your face in your sleep?

All I've been doing so far is washing my hands very well before going to bed.

17 March 2020, 01:20 PM

Piano*Dad

Well, many of us use eye medications (drops of various types), and millions wear contact lenses. It's impractical to say, "don't touch your eyes," because most people who need to touch their eyes on a regular basis will ignore that kind of advice. Much better to instruct people on how to minimize the likelihood of disease transmission rather than simply saying "don't."

17 March 2020, 01:43 PM

wtg

I think people who use eye medications and wear contacts are probably not the target audience; they are washing their hands before applying drops or putting in lenses.

The warning is for everybody else, especially those who are wearing masks and think they're totally protected. They might not be.