© Anadolu Agency via Getty Images Health officials wait for people potentially infected by the coronavirus (stock photo)

The World Health Organisation has warned there is no evidence proving that people who have survived coronavirus have immunity. Senior epidemiologists have warned that it is not known if those who have recovered from the deadly virus can be infected again and how long any protection would last for.

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It comes as governments across the world purchase millions of antibody tests in the hope they could enable countries to lift lockdown measures. Speaking at a WHO press conference in Geneva, Dr Maria van Kerkhove said that while tests can measure antibody levels, this does not mean a person is automatically protected.



"There are a lot of countries that are suggesting using rapid diagnostic serological tests to be able to capture what they think will be a measure of immunity," she said. "Right now, we have no evidence that the use of a serological test can show that an individual has immunity or is protected from reinfection.

Gallery: How the coronavirus is being handled globally (Photo Services)

"These antibody tests will be able to measure that level of seroprevalence - that level of antibodies but that does not mean that somebody with antibodies means that they are immune," she added.

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Scientists are working to develop pin-prick blood tests similar to those used to diagnose HIV, which can measure for raised levels of the antibodies the body uses to fight the virus.



Dr van Kerkhove said it was "a good thing" that so many tests are being developed. However, she cautioned: "We need to ensure that they are validated so that we know what they say they attempt to measure they are actually measuring." Her colleague Dr Michael Ryan said that the tests raise "ethical issues" and could create a risk if people falsely believe they have immunity.

"There are serious ethical issues around the use of such an approach and we need to address it very carefully," he said. "You might have someone who believes they are seropositive (have been infected) and protected in a situation where they may be exposed and in fact they are susceptible to the disease."

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