Dead bodies in rivers: Experts say transmission of COVID-19 through water not a concern

New Delhi: After stories of bodies of suspected COVID-19 sufferers had been fished out of the Ganga and Yamuna, specialists on Wednesday mentioned that the transmission of coronavirus through water is not a concern.

The query arose after issues had been raised on the dumping of lifeless bodies of suspected COVID-19 victims in the Ganga or its tributaries or sub-tributaries. As the Ganga and Yamuna are key sources of consuming water for a lot of villages, the matter is being seen significantly.

Though, it has been pressured that dumping of bodies in rover bodies will not have a important impact on transmission.

In a press briefing on May 7, V Ok Paul, Member (Health), Niti Aayog had mentioned, “Spread of transmission through water is not a concern. Not to worry.”

While Principal Scientific Adviser Ok VijayRaghavan mentioned there isn’t any fear about transmission through such mediums. “Primary transmission happens when people speak, or when two people are in close proximity and if the droplets drop on any surface come in contact with the other person then it can spread through water,” he had mentioned.

“But mostly it spreads through aerosol. It also depends on airflow. There is no need to worry. It dilutes in the water to an extent that there is little danger of transmission,” Raghavan added. 

On Tuesday, the Bihar authorities fished out 71 bodies from the Ganges in Buxar district elevating suspicion that the deserted corpses may very well be these of COVID-19 sufferers.

While in Uttar Pradesh’s Ballia, residents say a minimum of 45 bodies had been seen floating on the Ujiyar, Kulhadia and Bharauli ghats in the Narahi space. 

On Monday, residents in Hamirpur district noticed 5 bodies floating in the Yamuna, creating a scare that these had been bodies of COVID-19 sufferers. The bodies had been later fished out and cremated.

Meanwhile, the Centre had requested states alongside the Ganga river to make sure strict vigilance and verify for future incidences of individuals dumping bodies in Ganga and its tributaries.