COVID-19, Can It Spread Through Farts? Experts Debate Pros and Cons

Some UK Government Officials Claim... Majority of Scientists Say "Not Proven"

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[Asia Economy Senior Reporter Jinsoo Lee] It has been reported that some officials in the UK government have raised claims that COVID-19 can be transmitted through flatulence.

According to the local daily Telegraph on the 23rd (local time), some officials expressed concerns, on the premise that it was their personal opinion, that COVID-19 could spread in confined spaces such as restrooms.

A minister who wished to remain anonymous told the Telegraph that he had even come across reliable reports from other countries regarding this matter.

These officials claimed, "In an Australian restroom, a genomic link between two individuals related to COVID-19 was confirmed," and added, "In February last year, there was also a possibility raised that COVID-19 infections occurred through the plumbing of the restroom in a building where confirmed cases resided in Hong Kong."

However, scientists within the UK government did not acknowledge these claims. A spokesperson for the Prime Minister's Office said they were "unaware" of any evidence that COVID-19 can be transmitted through flatulence and stated that they are "continuously reviewing the latest scientific evidence."

Tests have shown that COVID-19 can be detected in excrement. However, just as masks filter harmful particles, the likelihood of transmission through underwear and outer clothing is very low.

Dr. Andy Tag, an emergency medicine specialist in Australia, revealed earlier this year that after conducting a series of tests on COVID-19 patients, he concluded that COVID-19 could be transmitted through flatulence. The virus was detected in the excrement of 55% of COVID-19 patients.

Dr. Tag stated, "Transmission through flatulence is possible, but more definitive evidence is needed," and advised, "It is safer to wear clean underwear properly."

During the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, China's Center for Disease Control and Prevention (中國疾病預防控制中心) announced that panties were very effective in preventing COVID-19 transmission through flatulence.

William Schaffner, a professor at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, and medical director at the nonprofit National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID), told the daily USA Today on the 23rd, "There is no proven evidence that COVID-19 is transmitted through flatulence." He emphasized that the possibility is very low. This has also been confirmed by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).