Vuvuzelas Linked to Spread of Airborne Diseases

The use of vuvuzelas split the opinions during the 2010 Fifa World Cup with many people unhappy with the loud noise made by the horns. Now a new study published in the journal PLoS One suggests that the horn is also dangerous to health since it can transmit airborne diseases. Researchers led by Dr Ruth McNerney, of the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, said that the amount of spittle shower created by blowing into the horn is equivalent to a sneeze and can transmit viruses and bacteria that can cause TB, flu and other airborne diseases.

The researchers conducted the study using eight volunteers who were asked to blow the vuvuzelas. The researchers found that over 658,000 aerosols per litre of air were expelled by the horns compared to less than 3,700 particles per litre.

“Just as with coughs or sneezes, action should be taken to prevent disease transmission, and people with infections must be advised against blowing their vuvuzelas close to other people”, Dr MvNerney said.



Source-Medindia