Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42198624›Full record

SynthesisPathogens (Basel, Switzerland)2026

COVID-19 in Space: Possible Health Risks and Preparedness Guidelines.

Ishan Vashishat, Sanghyun Eddie Han, Barnabe D Assogba

Abstract readSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland), 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

3 authors.

Ishan VashishatFaculty of Science, Department of Biology & Health Science, Kwantlen Polytechnic University, Surrey, BC V3W 2M8, Canada.ORCID 0009-0000-8691-4556
Sanghyun Eddie HanFaculty of Science, Department of Biology & Health Science, Kwantlen Polytechnic University, Surrey, BC V3W 2M8, Canada.
Barnabe D AssogbaFaculty of Science, Department of Biology & Health Science, Kwantlen Polytechnic University, Surrey, BC V3W 2M8, Canada.ORCID 0000-0001-6688-4791

Funding

Kwantlen Polytechnic University SRIG104486.
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic resulted in over 705 million infections and 7 million deaths, underscoring the importance of understanding disease behavior across diverse environments. As NASA, SpaceX, and ISRO prepare for more frequent missions, managing health risks for astronauts and space tourists is essential.

objectiveThis study reviews the literature on airborne infections in space, identifies research gaps, and establishes preparedness strategies for potential COVID-19 outbreaks during space missions.

methodsA systematic literature review was conducted to identify studies examining airborne infectious diseases in space. To compare these findings with Earth-based data, pathogen safety data sheets were used. A separate systematic review was conducted to explore similarities between COVID-19 and the identified airborne infectious diseases. A comparative approach was used to predict COVID-19's potential behavior in microgravity. Existing guidelines for managing airborne diseases in space and on Earth were reviewed and compared to develop a set of preparedness recommendations for COVID-19 in space.

resultsNine airborne infectious diseases occurring in space were identified. Six tentative effects of COVID-19 in a microgravity environment were theorized in this study. We propose recommendations to improve current space travel health guidelines and address the identified risks.

conclusionsThe results of this study will change the course of human space exploration by assisting in the protection of space travelers and guiding the development of new protocols that include comprehensive safety features.

Indexed as

COVID-19Space FlightAstronautsHumansPandemic PreparednessPandemicsSARS-CoV-2Weightlessnessairborne infectious diseaseCOVID-19microgravityspacesystematic review

Identifiers

PMID42198624
PMCPMC13209358

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.