A high-tech face mask that can detect coronavirus, swine flu and bird flu and then alert the wearer via a phone app, has been developed by scientists.
Just 10 minutes after coming into contact with the air-borne infections, wearers will be warned so they can take evasive action, according to the scientific journal Matter.
Researchers in China tested the mask in an enclosed chamber by spraying liquid containing virus proteins onto the face covering.
The sensor responded to just 0.3 microlitres of the liquid and was able to spot Covid-19, swine flu and bird flu, which is is between 70 and 560 times less than the amount of liquid produced by one sneeze.
It is hoped if the masks were rolled out they would connect to a wearer's smartphone and alert them of the potential danger and therefore reduce the risk of infection and spread.
Dr Yin Fang, of Shanghai Tongji University, who lead the paper, said: “Previous research has shown face mask wearing can reduce the risk of spreading and contracting the disease.
“We wanted to create a mask that can detect the presence of virus in the air and alert the wearer.
“Our mask would work really well in spaces with poor ventilation, such as lifts or enclosed rooms, where the risk of getting infected is high.
“In the future, if a new respiratory virus emerges, we can easily update the sensor’s design for detecting the novel pathogens.”
The team now want to make the mask detect diseases even faster and create wearable devices that can help people manage other illnesses such as cancer and heart disease.
Last week, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus exclaimed the world has "never been in a better position to end the pandemic".
"We are not there yet," he said. "But the end is in sight."
In the UK more than 206,000 died due to Covid and there has been more than 23.6 million cases recorded since the outbreak began.
