Research finds coronavirus in stool samples 22 days after onset of symptoms, but experts say risk of faecal transmission is low
- Scientists looked at viral loads in regular test samples taken from patients at different stages of the Covid-19 progression
- Despite findings, Hong Kong professor says people should not be unduly concerned about the risk of the pathogen being transmitted through faeces
The 30-strong team, mostly from Zhejiang University, based their research on the viral loads found in respiratory, stool and serum samples taken on a regular basis over a period of four weeks from patients at different stages in the progression of the disease.
On average, the virus was detectable in stool samples taken 22 days after the onset of symptoms. That compared to a mean of 18 days for respiratory samples and 16 days for samples of serum – the fluid component of blood.
The research was conducted between January and March at a designated Covid-19 treatment hospital in Zhejiang, a province to the south of Shanghai on China’s east coast.
The results were published on Tuesday in the BMJ, the weekly peer-reviewed journal formerly known as the British Journal of Medicine.
While there is little evidence to suggest that the coronavirus can be transmitted through faecal matter, the study warned that stool samples should be handled with greater care as part of epidemic prevention and control measures.