Western countries should pay attention to asymptomatic carriers: Expert

Western countries should pay attention to asymptomatic carriers of the novel coronavirus and consider the possibility of fecal-oral transmission, said Zhong Nanshan, a top Chinese epidemiologist, during a video conference with American medical professionals on Friday afternoon.

Zhong said the United States, as well as European countries, should attach more importance to asymptomatic patients - virus carriers exhibiting no symptoms. He also added although novel coronavirus is mainly transmitted by respiratory droplets and face-to-face contact, the potential for fecal-oral transmission could not be neglected.

Zhong cited the example of the Diamond Princess cruise ship, as he believed some passengers on board got infected with virus transmitted via sewers and exhaust tubes.

Therefore, Zhong suggested foreign countries pay close attention to asymptomatic virus carriers to avoid faster epidemic spreading, and stressed the necessity of keeping sewers unobstructed and tubes exhausted.