Recovered Covid-19 patients likely to have some immunity, says Nipah virus scientist

KUALA LUMPUR: Covid-19 patients are likely to have some level of immunity to re-infection based on past experiences with the related Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) coronaviruses, says a Universiti Malaya research consultant.

Academician Emeritus Professor Datuk Dr Lam Sai Kit, who was central to the discovery of the Nipah virus, said following recovery from SARS and MERS, patients had immunity to re-infection for up to three years due to the presence of specific neutralising antibodies circulating in their body.