Can mosquitoes, flies transmit novel coronavirus?

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BEIJING — With the arrival of summer, many people are worried about contracting COVID-19 through mosquitoes or flies.

In response to the concern, Wang Liping, a researcher from the Beijing Center for Disease Control and Prevention, said there is not yet evidence of people getting infected with the novel coronavirus through a mosquito or fly. She made her remarks at a news conference on Saturday.

She said the virus is mainly spread through respiratory droplets and physical contact – the virus can infect a person through the respiratory droplets of a patient, or touching contaminated objects used by a virus carrier and touching one’s eyes, mouth or nasal mucous membranes.

However, Wang said mosquitoes and flies could transmit other contagious diseases, such as malaria and dengue fever. She reminded people to guard against mosquito bites and keep food from flies in summer.

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