Understanding mechanisms of transmission of the virus is vital for its containment and prevention.
The mechanism of transmission is not accurately known, but it's proved that SARS-CoV-2 is transmitted by direct contact, probably it is transmitted by air droplets or stable on surfaces, actually it needs more research studies, on the other hand the pathogenesis will be more valuable for developing vaccine or treatment
Dear Azm,
The surfaces of the new coronavirus that causes COVID-19 disease have 'spikes'. Part of the spike protein allows the virus to bind a receptor on human cells, causing other portions of the spike to fuse the viral and human cell membranes. This process is needed for the virus to gain entry into cells and infect them. Researchers found that the binding of the spike protein to the human cell membrane receptors is pretty tight, and think this probably the reason why this coronavirus is much easier to transmit human to human than its previous cousin SARS virus does.
To read more: https://directorsblog.nih.gov/2020/03/03/structural-biology-points-way-to-coronavirus-vaccine/
The transmission mechanism is not understood accurately, but its seems that it is transmitted by direct contact through air droplets or through the hands and fingers. But it needs further research.
The new coronavirus spreads mostly through person-to-person contact within about a 6-foot (1.8 meters) radius, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). People with COVID-19, which is the disease caused by the coronavirus, spread viral particles through coughing and sneezing. The particles can land in the mouths or noses of those nearby.
It might also be possible to catch SARS-CoV-2 by touching a surface where the virus has recently landed and then touching one's mouth, nose or eyes, but CDC officials believe this method of transmission is less common. Some coronaviruses can live on surfaces for days, but not much is known about the new coronavirus' ability to survive on surfaces. Fortunately, ethanol, hydrogen-peroxide or bleach-based cleaners are effective at killing those coronaviruses that do survive on surfaces.
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/transmission.html
https://www.livescience.com/how-long-coronavirus-last-surfaces.html
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/03/11/science/how-coronavirus-hijacks-your-cells.html?utm_medium=tr_social&utm_campaign=site_visitor.unpaid.engagement&utm_source=Facebook#Echobox=1584025714
Please see the link below.
https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-020-00660-x
Apparently one is infectious 7 days BEFORE symptoms & possibly weeks after fever onset.
I came across this piece of research regarding the transmission of a coronavirus strain via common houseflies. The reference is as follows:
Calibeo-Hayes D, Denning SS, Stringham SM, Guy JS, Smith LG, Watson DW. Mechanical transmission of turkey coronavirus by domestic houseflies (Musca domestica Linnaeaus). Avian diseases. 2003 Jan;47(1):149-53.
There is an emerging realisation COVID-19 is not only transmitted by aerosol but also by the fecal-oral route. Bearing this in mind would it be appropriate to advise the general public at large to keep flies out of their homes during the current crisis? Secondly, in countries where open defecation is practiced should there be a concerted drive to control insects?
Better cleaning of public transport, shopping trolley handles, cashpoint machines etc is required. Also can we devise some way of "seeing" where it is by some marker system?
It has the only way to spread from human to human. The neglecting the seriousness of the virus, and lack of awareness is a main cause I think.
COVID-19 spreads easily between people because the virus that causes COVID-19 is mainly spread through respiratory droplets that are produced when an infected person talks, coughs, or sneezes. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs. The virus can also spread by touching a surface or object contaminated with the virus and then touching one’s mouth, nose, or eyes. The virus may be more infectious than the SARS virus due to microscopic features that researchers have identified.