The World Health Organisation's Special Envoy says differentiating between the flu and coronavirus this winter will be difficult.
Dr David Nabarro appeared before the Dail's Covid Committee this morning.
Waterford Independent TD Matt Shanahan wants to know if transmission increases in certain climates:
"In terms of the influenza season, which will probably kick in anytime from October, have you any thoughts about whether humidity increases the risk of aerosolisation or of the pathogen remaining aerosolised for longer and whether that increases the risk of transmission.?"
Dr Nabarro says droplets linger longer in colder humid conditions.
"I do believe that in humid, cold context, the droplets that carry the Covid virus tend to linger longer and travel a little bit further in the air than in hot, dry environments.
"I do agree therefore that there will be some potentiation of transmission during the winter and it will be additionally complicated because the flu is there at the same time and differentiating will be difficult."
