 Many of us have complained about the mosquito-like drone of the vuvuzela plastic horn – which has been heard during every match at this year’s football World Cup in South Africa. Now experts are also warning it could spread germs and cause illness.
With the flu season in South Africa in full swing, Dr Ruth McNerney of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine warned that the annoying instrument could also spread germs and cause illness. She explained: “Vuvuzelas have the potential to spread colds and flu as a lot of breath goes through the vuvuzela in a way that can infect others on a greater scale than coughing or shouting.”
McNerney was involved in a recent study of volunteers who blew the vuvuzela in order to measure what comes out at the other end. They found tiny droplets which can carry flu and cold germs were formed.
The advice to football fans – only blow your own vuvuzela, never share it with others.
Other potential dangers of the seemingly innocent object include hearing loss – vuvuzelas have been found to have negative effects on the ear drums if people are exposed to the sound for a certain time period. The advice to football fans – wear earplugs to the games.
People have also been asked not to blow too hard after one woman got so enthusiastic with her vuvuzela that she ruptured her throat!
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