Warmer and humid weather may curb spread, say experts – The Star Online

PETALING JAYA: The warm and humid weather which is expected to persist until the end of March may help slow down the spread of the Covid-19, say health experts.

Medical virologist Emeritus Prof Datuk Dr Lam Sai Kit said that many viruses, especially those that cause respiratory infections such as common cold viruses, including some coronaviruses, were quite susceptible to temperature and did not survive long outside their hosts.

He, however, noted that the SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) virus could survive on inanimate objects for four to five days, and maybe up to nine days.

Generally, we believe influenza is associated with the cold winter months, but it must be remembered that it is also a public health problem in tropical countries, he said.

The Malaysian Meteorological Department has predicted that the dry spell is expected to continue until the end of March, especially in northern peninsula and the east of Sabah, as the country is experiencing the last phase of the northeast monsoon, which started last October.

In March, many states in the peninsula are expected to receive an average monthly rainfall of 100mm to 350mm, except in Perlis, Alor Setar, Langkawi, Penang, Hulu Perak, northern Kelantan and northern Terengganu which are expected to record a below-average rainfall of between 50mm and 100mm.

In countries with temperate climates, the flu season usually starts in December, with a peak in January or February, after which cases decrease.

Infectious disease specialist Datuk Dr Christopher Lee said there were no known studies about the seasonality for Covid-19 virus since the outbreak had been around for less than two months.

But based on knowledge of other pathogenic coronaviruses like SARS, we can expect some similarity with Covid-19. Lower ambient temperatures and higher humidity allow the virus to survive longer outside the human body.

With that, we hope the warmer months would reduce the spread of the virus. We believe that the control of SARS was helped by the summer months, together with good public health measures, he added.

Universiti Malaya virology and bacteriology expert Professor Dr Sazaly Abu Bakar said hot weather would rapidly inactivate the virus.

Under the hot sun, the virus will burn out, he said.

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Warmer and humid weather may curb spread, say experts - The Star Online

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