Chinese expert who came down with Wuhan coronavirus after saying it was controllable thinks he was infected through his eyes
- Peking University respiratory specialist Wang Guangfa contracted illness after visiting the city and believes lack of eye protection may have been the cause
- He defends his earlier comments that disease can be kept under control, but admits stronger measures may be needed
A leading Chinese respiratory expert who was infected by the Wuhan coronavirus while visiting the city last week said inadequate eye protection might have been the cause.
Wang Guangfa, a respiratory specialist from Peking University First Hospital in Beijing, confirmed his infection and subsequent recovery on his personal Weibo account on Wednesday.
He caught the public’s attention two weeks ago when he told media that the Wuhan outbreak was “preventable and controllable”.
Wang, who returned to the capital before falling ill, said on the Twitter-like platform that he was getting better and his fever had gone after a day.
“I have the energy to browse WeChat [China’s most popular messaging app], text messages and the internet. I am touched to see so many people’s blessings and encouragement for me.”
Wang was regarded as one of the heroes in China’s fight against severe acute respiratory syndrome, or Sars, in 2003.