A group of Australian and international scientists has accused the WHO of downplaying the significance of airborne transmission of COVID-19 and urged the body to reconsider its position.

The WHO and many countries including Australia maintain that direct and indirect contact through large respiratory droplets and fomites are the primary modes of transmission.

However, this has been challenged by a group of 239 researchers from 32 countries — led by Professor Lidia Morawska from the Queensland University of Technology — who argue there is growing evidence that SARS-CoV-2 can spread through microdroplets.

In an open letter to be published in Clinical Infectious Diseases this week, obtained by Australian Doctor, the group will urge the international community to apply the ‘precautionary principle’ and implement control measures to prevent airborne transmission.